Antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions containing same useful for inhibiting activity of metalloproteins

ABSTRACT

An antibody comprising an antigen recognition region which comprises CDR amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/449,728 filed on Aug. 24, 2009, which is a National Phase of PCTPatent Application No. PCT/IL2008/000230 having International FilingDate of Feb. 21, 2008, which claims the benefit of priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/902,854 filed on Feb. 23, 2007.The contents of the above applications are all incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hapten molecules and antibodiesdirected thereagainst, which can be used to inhibit activity ofmetalloproteins, such as metalloproteases, and to methods which utilizethe antibodies for treating diseases such as metastatic cancer which areassociated with abnormal activity of a metalloprotein.

The matrix metalloproteins (MMPs) are key enzymes participating inremodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These enzymes are capableof destroying a variety of connective tissue components of articularcartilage or basement membranes.

The human MMP gene family consists of at least 28 structurally relatedproteins (see FIG. 1), which share a similar overall spherical topology(FIG. 2 and Borkakoti, 1998). Each MMP is secreted as an inactive,latent pro-enzyme. The catalytic zinc domain is composed of about 180amino acids wherein the highly conserved sequence HE-GH-LGL-H providesthe three histidine (i.e., H) residues which bind to the metal Zn(2+)ion. The forth-binding site of the catalytic zinc ion in the pro-enzymeis bound to a cystein residue (Morgunova et al., 1999), which uponenzyme activation dissociates from the active site (Van Wart andBirkedal-Hansen, 1990). As a result, the forth-binding site in theactivated MMPs is taken up by a water molecule, which is alsohydrogen-bonded to a conserved glutamic residue. This processfacilitates the hydrolysis of a peptide bond of the target substratewith the activated water molecule.

The uncontrolled breakdown of connective tissue by metalloproteases is afeature of many pathological conditions, probably resulting from anexcess of MMP activity or from an imbalanced ratio between the naturalMMP tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) and MMPs. TIMPs inhibit MMPs by formingstoichiometric complexes with the active zinc binding site of MMPs(Gomez et al., 1997; Henriet at al., 1999; Bode et al., 1999; Will etal., 1996). When TIMPs levels are insufficient, a progressive slowdegradation of the ECM may lead to loss of cartilage matrix inrheumatoid arthritis (Walakovits et al., Arthritis Rheum, 35:35-42,1992) and osteoarthritis (Dean et al., J. Clin. Invest. 84:678-685,1989) or bone matrix degradation in osteoporosis (Hill et al., Biochem.J. 308: 167-175, 1995). In other situations, such as congestive heartfailure, rapid degradation of the heart's ECM may occur (Armstrong etal., Canadian J. Cardiol. 10: 214-220, 1994).

Additionally, MMPs are known to play a role in the maturation ofcytokines and chemokines such as galectin-3 (Ochieng J., Biochemistry,1994 33(47):14109-14), plasminogen (Patterson, BC., JBC, 1997272(46):28823-5, interleukin-8, connective tissue activating peptideIII, platelet factor-4 (Van den Steen, 2000 Blood. 2000 Oct. 15;96(8):2673-81.), pro-interleukin-113 (Schonbeck, 1998), interleukin-2receptor a chain [Sheu, B. C, Hsu, S. M., Ho, H., Lien, H. C., Huang,S.C., Lin, R. H. A novel role of metalloproteinase in cancer-mediatedimmunosuppression Cancer Research (2001) 61, 237-242], andpro-transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β, Yu, Q. Stamenkovic, I. Cellsurface-localized matrix metalloproteinase-9 proteolytically activatesTGF-beta and promotes tumor invasion and angiogenesis Genes Dev (2000)14, 163-176].

Other pathological conditions, which are also related to unregulatedactivity of MMPs, include the rapid remodeling of the ECM by metastatictumor cells. In such conditions the activated MMPs are either expressedby the cancer cells or by the surrounding tissues. There is considerableevidence that MMPs are involved in the growth and spread of tumors(e.g., see Davidson et al., Chemistry & Industry, 258-261, 1997, andreferences therein). In the process of tumor metastasis, MMPs are usedto break down the ECM, allowing primary tumor cancer cells to invadeneighboring blood vessels where they are transported to different organsand establish secondary tumors. The invasive growth at these secondarysites is mediated by MMPs, which break down the tissue. In addition, MMPactivity contributes to the invasive in-growth of new blood vessels,also termed angiogenesis, which is required for tumors to grow above acertain size. Among the members of MMP family, the secreted human MMP-9,also known as gelatinase B, has been shown to have key roles not only inextracellular matrix (ECM) catabolism but also in the processing ofprotein substrates that are relevant in neurological diseases such asmultiple sclerosis (MS) (Opdenakker, 2003). Recent studies showed thatMMP-9 has a critical role in promoting autoimmune diseases by cleavingpre-processed type II collagen (Van den Steen, 2004). The products arecollagen type II fragments that are remnant epitopes thought to generateautoimmune diseases.

Given the broad role of MMPs in human physiology and pathology, it isnot surprising that numerous efforts have been affected to design drugs,which inhibit MMP excessive activity.

Drug discovery efforts have focused on inhibitor classes that contain afunctional group which coordinates the zinc ion to thereby inactivatethe target MMP. One such inhibitor class is the hydroxamate inhibitors,small peptide analogs of fibrillar collagens, which specificallyinteract in a bidentate manner via the hydroxyl and carbonyl oxygens ofthe hydroxamic group with the zinc ion in the catalytic site [Grams etal., (1995), Biochem. 34: 14012-14020; Bode et al., (1994), EMBO J., 13:1263-1269].

Hydroxamate-based MMP inhibitors are usually composed of either a carbonback-bone (WO 95/29892, WO 97/24117, WO 97/49679 and EP 0780386), apeptidyl back-bone (WO 90/05719, WO 93/20047, WO 95/09841 and WO96/06074) or a peptidomimetic back-bone [Schwartz et al., Progr. Med.Chem., 29: 271-334 (1992); Rasmussen et al., Pharmacol. Ther., 75: 69-75(1997); Denis et al., Invest. New Drugs, 15: 175-185 (1997)].Alternatively, they contain a sulfonamido sulfonyl group which is bondedon one side to a phenyl ring and a sulfonamido nitrogen which is bondedto an hydroxamate group via a chain of one to four carbon atoms (EP0757984 A1).

Other peptide-based MMP inhibitors are thiol amides which exhibitcollagenase inhibition activity (U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,700),N-carboxyalkyl derivatives containing a biphenylethylglycine whichinhibit MMP-3, MMP-2 and collagenase (Durette, et al., WO-9529689),lactam derivatives which inhibit MMPs, TNF-alpha and aggrecanase (seeU.S. Pat. No. 6,495,699) and Tricyclic sulfonamide compounds (see U.S.Pat. No. 6,492,422).

Although peptide-based MMP inhibitors have a clear therapeutic potentialtheir use in clinical therapy is limited. Peptide-based hydroxamate arecostly to produce and have low metabolic stability and oralbioavailability [e.g., batimastat (BB-94)]. These compounds are rapidlyglucuronidated, oxidized to carboxylic acid and excreted in the bile[Singh et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 5: 337-342, 1995; Hodgson,“Remodelling MMPIs”, Biotechnology 13: 554-557, 1995)]. In addition,peptide-based MMP inhibitors often exhibit the same or similarinhibitory effects against each of the MMP enzymes. For example,batimastat is reported to exhibit IC₅₀ values of about 1 to about 20 nMagainst each of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-9 [Rasmussen et al.,Pharmacol. Ther., 75(1): 69-75 (1997)]. Furthermore, the use of severalhydroxamate inhibitors was associated with severe side effects such asmuscoloskeletal problems with marimastat (BB-2516), widespreadmaculopapular rash with CGS27023A (Novartis) [Levitt et al., 2001, Clin.Cancer Res. 7: 1912-1922] and liver abnormalities, anemia, shoulder andback pain, thrombocytopenia, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea and deep veinthrombosis with BAY12-9566 (Bayer) [Heath et al., 2001, CancerChemother. Pharmacol. 48: 269-274]. Moreover, phase III clinical trialson advanced cancer patients with marimastat, prinomastat (AG 3340,Agouron) and Bay 12-9566 demonstrated no clinical efficacy in inhibitingmetastasis (Zucker et al., 2000, Oncogene 19: 6642-50).

Other MMP inhibitors are the chemically modified nonmicrobialtetracyclines (CMTs) that were shown to block expression of several MMPsin vitro. However, in vivo efficacy of these compounds was found to belimited, e.g., the CMT inhibitor, doxycycline, reduced tissue levels ofMMP-1 but not MMP-2, 3, or -9 in atherosclerotic carotid plaques inhuman patients (Axisa et al., 2002, Stroke 33: 2858-2864).

Recently, a mechanism-based MMP inhibitor, SB-3CT, was designedaccording to the X-ray crystallographic information of the MMP activesite (Brown et al., 2000). X-ray absorption studies revealed thatbinding of this molecule to the catalytic zinc reconstructs theconformational environment around the active site metal ion back to thatof the pro-enzyme [Kleifeld et al., 2001, J. Biol. Chem. 276: 17125-31].However, the therapeutic efficacy obtained with this agent is yet to bedetermined.

Another class of natural inhibitors is monoclonal antibodies. Severalantibodies have been raised against specific peptide sequences withinthe catalytic domain MMP-1 (Galvez et al., 2001, J. Biol. Chem., 276:37491-37500). However, although these antibodies could inhibit thein-vitro activity of MMP, results demonstrating the in-vivoeffectiveness of such antibodies have not been demonstrated.

As described hereinabove, the catalytic site of MMPs includes acoordinated metal ion which becomes available for substrate bindingfollowing enzyme activation (see FIGS. 2 a-c). It is thus conceivablethat conventional antibodies directed at the primary amino acid sequenceof the enzyme would not distinguish the active form from the inactiveform of the enzyme and hence would not serve as potent inhibitors ofsuch enzymes.

The present inventors have previously shown that antibodies whichrecognize both electronic and structural determinants of the catalyticsite of MMPs are potent inhibitors thereof and as such can be used totreat diseases associated with imbalanced MMP activity (see PCTPublication WO 2004/087042).

There is thus, a widely recognized need for and it would be highlydesirable to have specific hapten compounds which mimic the electronicand structural determinants of the catalytic site of metalloproteins aswell as specific antibodies which are directed thereagainst.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided acompound having the general Formula (I):

wherein:

m and n are each independently an integer from 1 to 6;

X₁-X₃ and Y₁-Y₃ are each independently O or S;

R₁-R₃ are each independently selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, alkyl, and cycloalkyl; and

R is (CH₂)x-C(═O)NR′—(CH₂)y-NR′R″

whereas:

x and y are each independently an integer from 1 to 6; and

R′ and R″ are each independently selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, alkyl, and cycloalkyl.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the inventiondescribed below, the compound has the Formula (II):

wherein R=—CH₂—C(═O)NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided acompound having the Formula (II):

wherein R=—CH₂—C(═O)NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided an antibody comprising an antigen recognition region capable ofspecifically binding the above compound.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the antigen recognition region comprises a CDR amino acidsequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 7, 8, 9, 10,11 and 12.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the CDR amino acid sequence is encoded by a nucleic acidsequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 13, 14, 15,16, 17 and 18.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the antibody is capable of inhibiting an activity of ametalloproein.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the metalloprotein is a matrix metalloprotease.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the matrix metalloprotease is a gelatinase.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the gelatinase is selected from the group of MMP-2 andMMP-9.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of producing a metalloprotein inhibitor, the methodcomprising generating antibodies directed at the above compound, therebyproducing the metalloprotein inhibitor.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the antibodies are polyclonal antibodies.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention there isprovided a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of treating a disease associated with imbalanced orabnormal activity of metalloproteins in a subject in need thereof, themethod comprising administering to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of any one of the antibodies disclosed herein, therebytreating a disease associate with imbalanced or abnormal activity ofmetalloproteins in the subject.

According to still further features in the described preferredembodiments the disease is an inflammatory bowel disease.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of inhibiting matrix metalloprotease activity in acell, the method comprising contacting the cell with any one of theantibodies disclosed herein, thereby inhibiting the matrixmetalloprotease activity in the cell.

The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of thepresently known configurations by providing a novel hapten compositionwhich can be used to generate antibodies which recognize both electronicand structural determinants of the catalytic site of metalloproteins.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described below. In case of conflict, the patentspecification, including definitions, will control. In addition, thematerials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intendedto be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now tothe drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are byway of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of thepreferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presentedin the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful andreadily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspectsof the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structuraldetails of the invention in more detail than is necessary for afundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken withthe drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the severalforms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A-D are schematic representations of the molecular structure ofCo/ZnTCPP-[meso-Tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl)-porphyrinato] cobalt/zinc(II) (FIGS. 1A-B,Imisdp-[2-(2-minoethylcarbomoyl)-ethoxymethyl]-tris-[2-(N-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl))-ethoxymethyl]methane,and the conserved zinc-protein ligation at the catalytic zinc site inMMPs.

FIGS. 1E-H are three dimensional schemes of the structures displayed inFIGS. 1A-d. Note, the ZnTCPP retains planar conformation while theCoTCPP exhibit a distorted microcycle conformation. Remarkably, themisdp structure is highly analogous to the nearest environment of thecatalytic zinc ion in MMP-9 as demonstrated in FIG. 1G.

FIG. 2A is a structural overlay between the three dimensional calculatedstructures of Imisdp (green carbon atoms) and the three conservedhistidines at the active site of MMP-9 (PDB code 1GKC, grey carbonatoms). The catalytic zinc ion is depicted as an orange ball, watermolecule is depicted as a blue ball, nitrogens are colored blue, oxygensred.

FIG. 2B is a structural overlay between ZnTCPP porphyrinic ring (CSDcode AKICOM) (green carbon atoms) and the three conserved histidines atthe active site of MMP-9 (grey carbon atoms PDB code 1GKC), thecatalytic zinc ion is depicted as an orange ball, nitrogens are coloredblue

FIGS. 3A-C are western blot images showing the ability of mouseIgG-Agarose immobilized mAbs to pull down recombinant MMP-2 catalyticdomain (MMP-2cat) or Pro-MMP-2 and Pro-MMP-9 from solution. Antibodiesused for each experiment are 6C6, 13E11, and 13E15. FIG. 3A-MMP-2cat (2μg) was incubated with anti-mouse IgG-Agarose (cntl, lane 1) or antiCoTCPP, ZnTCPP and Imisdp mAb (10 μg)-anti-mouse IgG-Agarose for 2 hr at20° C., immunoprecipitates (lane 2, 3, 5) were centrifuged and washedthree times, separated on SDS/PAGE gel and visualized byCoomassie-staining. FIG. 3B-Pro-MMP-2, Pro-MMP-9 were incubated withmAbs-anti-mouse IgG-Agarose in the same manner as in A.Immunoprecipitates (lane 2, 4, 6 left and 1, 3, 5 right) and unboundfraction (lane 1, 3, 5 left and 2, 4, 6 right) were separated onSDS/PAGE gel and visualized by Coomassie-staining. FIG. 3C-conditionedmedium of HT1080 cells that either underwent activation with APMA (left)or did not (right), was immunoprecipitated with anti CoTCPP mAb andanalyzed by western blot with specific antibodies against MMP-2.

FIGS. 4A-B are Lineweaver-Burk plots of anti CoTCPP mAb inhibition ofMMP-2 (A) and MMP-9 (B). Velocity units are in μmol/sec⁻¹, and substrateunits are in μM⁻¹. FIG. 4A-MAb concentrations were 6 (closed triangles),18 (closed squares), 24 (open circles), and 0 μM (open squares).MMP-2cat concentration was 200 nM. FIG. 4B-Inhibition of full lengthAPMA activated MMP-9, mAb concentrations were 6 (open squares), 12(closed triangles), 24 (open squares), and 0 μM (closed squares). MMP-9concentration was 20 nM. The inhibition pattern indicates that antiCoTCPP mAb behaves as a competitive inhibitor of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

FIG. 5 is a plot showing MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibition by anti Imisdp mAb.MMP-9 catalytic domain (20 nM) (closed circles) or full length APMAactivated MMP-2 (closed triangles, 5 nM) was added to mixtures of thefluorogenic substrate OCAcPLGLA2pr(Dnp)-AR-NH2 (10 μM) in buffer Rcontaining increasing concentrations of mAb. The lines representnonlinear least-squares fits to the Equation: vilvo=(Km+[S])/(Km(1+[I]Ki)+[S]), using the program Origin.

FIG. 6A shows zinc k-edge spectra of active and anti CoTCPP mAbinhibited forms of MMP-2cat. Normalized raw XAS data of zinc K-edgeregion of active (dotted) and MMP-2cat-mAb (solid) complex are shown.

FIG. 6B shows the edge position the MMP-2cat-mAb complex (solid) shiftsto a higher energy relative to active MMP-2cat (dotted).

FIG. 6C shows EXAFS results for active (black) and inhibited (green)forms of MMP-2cat are shown. The results are presented in R-space andback-transformed to the k-space.

FIGS. 7A-B are photographs showing the ability of anti CoTCPP mAb toinhibit cell surface gelatinase activity. Representative fluorescentmicrographs of HT1080 cells plated on coverslips coated with DQ-gelatinin the presence or absence of 1 uM of 13E11 mAb. Cell surfacegelatinolytic activity was assayed as a measure of fluorescence emittedby degraded gelatin. Untreated cells exhibited significant cell surfacegelatinase activity, which was significantly inhibited in the presenceof 1 uM of anti CoTCPP mAb. 4′-6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)staining, in blue, indicates the location of the nuclei of the cells.

FIG. 8 is a scheme showing the configuration of the various MMP activesites (Si pocket).

FIG. 9 is the Imisdp synthesis scheme.

FIG. 10 shows the amino acid sequences of the antibodies of the presentinvention with CDR regions highlighted.

FIGS. 11A-D are photographs and models illustrating that 6C6 binds onlythe active conformation of MMP9 and MMP2. FIG. 11A: Detection of activeMMP9 that co-purified with 6C6 from mice ascites fluid. MAb (10 μg)purified from mice ascites fluid containing MMP9, was subjected towestern blot (WB) analysis using commercial anti MMP9 antibody. Nonrelated IgG mAb that has been purified in the same manner, served asnegative control (MAb Control). Human ProMMP9 purified from Hillatransfected cells served as molecular weight marker to discern theactive species. Purification was done by affinity chromatography usingprotein G beads which bind mAb via its constant domain, leaving theantigen binding site free to interact with the antigen. FIGS. 11B,C: 6C6mAb immobilized to protein A beads was analyzed for its ability to pulldown ProMMP2, ProMMP9, or MMP2 catalytic fragment (lacking the hemopexinand pro domains) from solution. MAbs 6C6 (10 μg) immobilized to proteinA Sepharose beads was incubated with MMP2 catalytic fragment (1 μg)—FIG.11B, ProMMP9—FIG. 11C top, or ProMMP2 (2 μg) (FIG. 11C bottom, for 2hours at 20° C. Bead-bound mAb complex was separated by centrifugationand washed three times, separated on SDS/PAGE gel and visualized byCoomassie-staining Immunoprecipitates (6C6) and unbound fractions wereseparated on SDS/PAGE gel and visualized by Coomassie-staining. Asnegative control for non specific adsorption enzyme alone was incubatedwith protein A Sepharose beads. FIG. 11D: The three-dimensionalstructure of MMP2 lacking the hemopexin domain with (bottom) and without(top) the pro-domain is shown in surface representation (PDB ID: 1CK7).The catalytic and the fibronectin domains are shown in cyan andpro-peptide in red. The catalytic zinc ion is depicted as an orangesphere and bound to three conserved histidines shown as yellow sticks.As shown the pro-peptide domain sterically blocks the active site.

FIGS. 12A-B are graphs and data relating to the inhibition mechanism ofMMP-9 by 6C6 mAb. FIG. 12A: MMP-9 recombinant catalytic fragment(without the hemopexin and pro domain) was preincubated with varyingamounts of mAb. The residual enzymatic activity was measured afteraddition of fluorogenic peptide substrate (10 μM). Ki was evaluated byfitting to equation of competitive inhibition(vi/vo=Km+[S]/(Km(1+I/Ki)+[S]) Km=9.14±0.8) (Inset) Active MMP-9 (at afixed concentration of 2 nM) was preincubated for 60 minutes at 37° C.in the absence (●) or presence of 0.7 (▪) or 2 μM (∘) mAb, in 100 mMNaCl, 10 mM CaCl₂, 100 mM Tris pH 7.5. Fluorogenic peptide substrate(Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH2) was then added to achieve thefinal concentrations indicated (S) in the range of 0-30 μM, and theinitial velocity of substrate hydrolysis was determined by measurementof increased fluorescence. The values of apparent Km and Vmax werederived by fitting the experimental data to Michaelis-Menten equation.The derived values were used to reconstruct double reciprocalLinweaver-Burk plot the intersection points indicate competitiveinhibition of MMP-9 by 6C6. FIG. 12B: The different MMPs werepreincubated with varying amounts of mAb. The residual enzymaticactivity was measured after addition of fluorogenic peptide substrate(10 μM). Ki was evaluated by fitting to equation of competitiveinhibition (vi/vo=Km+[S]/(Km(1+I/Ki)+[S]) Km=2.46±0.34 for full lengthMMP2 purified from Hila cells, Km=16±1 for catalytic domain of MT1-MMP).Effective inhibition of 6C6 was also detected using full length MMP-2and MMP-9 (data are not shown).

FIG. 13 is a structural overlay of different MMPs showing the conservedoverall topology of the active site with variations mostly within theperipheral loops. MMP9 (PDB 1GKC)-cyan, MMP2 (PDB 1QIB)-magenta, MT1-MMP(PDB 1BUV)-orange, MMP7 (PDB 1MMQ)-red, TACE (PDB 2147)-yellow.Conserved histidines are shown as sticks, catalytic zinc ion is depictedas orange ball. Remarkably, the overall topography of the peripheralloops of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is similar. This may explain the selectivity of6C6 to MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the tested group of enzymes.

FIGS. 14A-C are fluorescent micrographs illustrating that 6C6 inhibitscell surface gelatinase activity. Representative fluorescent micrographs(generated by in situ zymography assay) of HT1080 cells plated oncoverslips coated with DQ-gelatin in the absence (FIG. 14A) or presence(FIG. 14B) of 5 μM mAb or 15 μM SB-3CT mechanism based nanomolarinhibitor of gelatinases (FIG. 14C). Cell surface gelatinolytic activitywas assayed as a measure of fluorescence emitted by degrading gelatin.Untreated cells exhibited significant cell surface gelatinase activity(green), which was significantly inhibited in the presence of mAb.

FIGS. 15A-C are graphs illustrating the effect of 6C6 treatment on thevarious manifestations of acute DSS colitis in C57BL/6 mice. Disease wasinduced by 2% DSS for 5 days. 6C6 treatment, 5 or 1.5 mg/kg mouse, wasadministered by daily i.p. injection starting from day 0. FIG. 15A:Clinical score was evaluated by daily monitoring of DAI (which is thecombined score of body weight, rectal bleeding and stool consistency, ona scale of 0-4). Data are expressed as the dot distribution of a meanfor each animal of days 6 to 10. FIG. 15B: Colon length. FIG. 15C:Mortality. The data presented are the combined results of twoexperiments, with a total of 15 mice per group.*, significant effectover colitis-untreated mice (p<0.05).

FIG. 16 is a graph of results from X-ray absorption spectroscopy at thezinc K edge of active MMP9 (black) and inhibited MMP9-6C6 complex (red).The results are presented in the form of radial distribution from thezinc ion. The edge position the MMP-9 catalytic domain-mAb complex (red)shifts to a higher energy relative to active MMP-9 (inset) indicatingbinding to the catalytic zinc ion. Structural analysis of the X-rayspectroscopy data indicates that 6C6 directly binds the zinc ion andforms pentacoordinate zinc-protein complex. Remarkably, this mode ofbinding is analogous to the binding of TIMPs at the active site of MMPs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is of antibodies and fragments thereof, which canbe used to inhibit metalloprotein activity. Specifically, the antibodiesof the present invention can be used to treat diseases associated withimbalanced matrix metalloprotease activity such as multiple sclerosis,autoimmune diseases and metastatic cancers.

The principles and operation of the present invention may be betterunderstood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details set forth in the following description or exemplified bythe Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of beingpracticed or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Matrix metalloproteases participate in many biological processes,ranging from cell proliferation, differentiation and remodeling of theextracellular matrix (ECM) to vascularization and cell migration. Theseprocesses require a delicate balance between the functions of the matrixmetalloproteases (MMPs) and natural tissue inhibitors thereof (TIMPs).The loss of this balance is the hallmark of numerous pathologicalconditions including metastatic tumors, neurodegenerative diseases andosteoarthritis.

Numerous MMP inhibitors are known in the art including small peptideinhibitors such as hydroxomate, non-microbial tetracyclins andmonoclonal antibodies. While the former are limited by the high cost ofproduction, high degradability, low oral bioavailability and lack ofspecificity, none of the latter have demonstrated in-vivo therapeuticefficacy.

The present inventors have previously uncovered that antibodies whichrecognize both electronic and structural determinants of the catalyticsite of metalloenzymes can be used as potent inhibitors thereof. Usinghaptens mimic the metal-bound catalytic site of metalloenzymes asimmunogens enabled the generation of highly efficient therapeuticantibodies which can be used to treat clinical conditions characterizedby elevated metalloprotein activity (see WO2004/087042 to the presentinventors).

While reducing the present invention to practice, the present inventorsdesigned a novel hapten compound which closely mimic the local structureand conformation of the reactive zinc site in MMPs. The compound[2-(2-minoethylcarbomoyl)-ethoxymethyl]-tris-[2-(N-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl))ethoxymethyl]methane, termed, Imisdp (see FIG. 1), can mimic a4-coordination geometry and similar force field induced by the zinc ionon coordinated three histidine array and water. A nearly tetrahedralconformation is formed by three imidazole bases and water molecule asthe fourth ligand. FIG. 2A shows an overlay of the constructed 3D modelof the Imisdp compound with the catalytic site of MMP-9 (PDB 1GKC) thathas been modified to represent the tetrahedral geometry of the zincligands. The modifications include replacing the ligand present in theX-ray structure (an hydroxamate inhibitor) with a water molecule andoptimization of the full enzyme to a local minimum by a multilayer QM/MMapproach (see materials and methods). High similarity exists between thecalculated histidine zinc motif in MMP-9 and Imisdp in terms ofdistances of the Histidines's-nitrogen from the zinc ion (2.04±0.06 and2.02 respectively) and the relative orientation of the three histidinestoward the metal.

As is illustrated hereinbelow and in the Examples section which follows,the present inventors have immunized mice with Imisdp and screened foran MMP antibody cross-reactive with MMP-2 amd MMP-9. That antibody wastermed 6C6 (See FIG. 10 and Examples 1-2 of the Examples section whichfollows). 6C6 was found to bind MMP-2/9 and competitively inhibit theactivity of MMP-9, MMP-2 (Ki range 1 μM-5 μM) and MT1-MMP (Ki of 15 μM,see Table 4 below).The binding and inhibition of MMP-9 and MMP-2 wasdemonstrated in-vitro and in-situ by variety of biochemical andbiophysical tools (see Examples 4-7 and 9) Importantly, 6C6 binds onlythe activated form of MMP-9 and MMP-2 (see Example 3 and Example 8).This enzyme form is lacking the pro-domain which shields the catalyticzinc complex residing within the enzyme moiety. The present inventorsshowed that antibodies generated according to the present method arecapable of binding in vivo to MMP-9 (FIG. 11A). Furthermore, the presentinventors showed that the antibodies of the present invention comprisedtherapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease(Example 10).

Altogether, the present findings support the use of Imisdp as animportant reagent (platform) for the production of metalloproteininhibitors, and 6C6 and derived peptides and peptidomimetics as avaluable therapeutic tool.

These results demonstrates the potential in using these antibodies as aplatform for the design of selective peptide inhibitors for individualMMPs by means of phage desplay and point mutations of the mAbs or theirfragments.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention there is provideda compound having the general Formula (I):

wherein:

m and n are each independently an integer from 1 to 6;

X₁-X₃ and Y₁-Y₃ are each independently O or S;

R₁-R₃ are each independently selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, alkyl, and cycloalkyl; and

R is (CH₂)_(x)—C(═O)NR′—(CH₂)_(y)—NR′R″

whereas:

x and y are each independently an integer from 1 to 6; and

R′ and R″ are each independently selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, alkyl, and cycloalkyl.

According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the presentinvention the compound is[2-(2-minoethylcarbomoyl)-ethoxymethyl]-tris-[2-(N-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl))-ethoxymethyl]methane,termed, Imisdp, having the general Formula (II):

wherein R=—CH₂—C(═O)NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂

Synthesis of Imisdp is described in Example 7 of the Examples sectionwhich follows.

Since Imisdp mimics the local structure and transient conformation ofthe reactive zinc site in MMP-9 and MMP-2 it can be used for theproduction of metalloprotein inhibitors.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of producing a metalloprotein inhibitor.

The method is effected by generating antibodies or antibody fragmentsdirected at the above-described compound (i.e., Imisdp). See Examples1-2 as well as the “Materials and Methods” section of the Examplessection which follows.

The “metalloprotein” of the present invention refers to a metal-boundprotein, in which the metal binding site forms a part of an ezyme'scatalytic domain, which both electronically and structurally resemblesthat of Imisdp.

The metalloprotein of this aspect of the present invention is preferablya metalloprotease—MMP (e.g., gelatinase such as MMP-2 and MMP-9).

It will be appreciated that all members of the MMP family are translatedas latent enzymes, which upon activation are converted into activeenzymes in which the metal ion in the active site is accessible forsubstrate binding. For example, the “cysteine switch model” has beenpreviously suggested to explain MMP in vitro activation. The cysteineswitch model suggests that upon activation, the latent zinc-binding siteis converted to a catalytic zinc-binding site by dissociation of thethiol

(Cys)-bearing propeptide from the zinc atom. Cleavage of the propeptideresults in a breakdown of the pro-domain structure of the enzyme, andthe shielding of the catalytic zinc ion is withdrawn. Consequently, themetal ion and the active site pocket are accessible for substratebinding and hydrolysis [Van Wart and Birkedal-Hansen (1990) Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 87, 5578-5582].

Antibodies and antibody fragments generated according to the teachingsof the present invention serve as potent inhibitors of MMPs, due totheir ability to bind both the metal ion and the coordinating aminoacids within the catalytic zinc site, thereby specifically inhibitingthe active conformation of these enzymes which are directly involved inpathological processes as described above.

As used herein the term “antibody”, refers to an intact antibodymolecule and the phrase “antibody fragment” refers to a functionalfragment thereof, such as Fab, F(ab′)₂, and Fv that are capable ofbinding to macrophages. These functional antibody fragments are definedas follows: (i) Fab, the fragment which contains a monovalentantigen-binding fragment of an antibody molecule, can be produced bydigestion of whole antibody with the enzyme papain to yield an intactlight chain and a portion of one heavy chain; (ii) Fab′, the fragment ofan antibody molecule that can be obtained by treating whole antibodywith pepsin, followed by reduction, to yield an intact light chain and aportion of the heavy chain; two Fab′ fragments are obtained per antibodymolecule; (iii) (Fab′)₂, the fragment of the antibody that can beobtained by treating whole antibody with the enzyme pepsin withoutsubsequent reduction; F(ab′)₂ is a dimer of two Fab′ fragments heldtogether by two disulfide bonds; (iv) Fv, defined as a geneticallyengineered fragment containing the variable region of the light chainand the variable region of the heavy chain expressed as two chains; (v)Single chain antibody (“SCA”), a genetically engineered moleculecontaining the variable region of the light chain and the variableregion of the heavy chain, linked by a suitable polypeptide linker as agenetically fused single chain molecule; and (vi) Peptides coding for asingle complementarity-determining region (CDR).

Methods of generating antibodies (i.e., monoclonal and polyclonal) arewell known in the art. Antibodies may be generated via any one ofseveral methods known in the art, which methods can employ induction ofin vivo production of antibody molecules, screening immunoglobulinlibraries or panels of highly specific binding reagents as disclosed[Orlandi D. R. et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 86:3833-3837, WinterG. et al. (1991) Nature 349:293-299] or generation of monoclonalantibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. These includebut are not limited to, the hybridoma technique, the human B-cellhybridoma technique, and the Epstein-Bar-Virus (EBV)-hybridoma technique[Kohler G., et al. (1975) Nature 256:495-497, Kozbor D., et al. (1985)J. Immunol. Methods 81:31-42, Cote R. J. et al. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. 80:2026-2030, Cole S. P. et al. (1984) Mol. Cell. Biol.62:109-120].

In cases where the invention compounds are too small to elicit a strongimmunogenic response, such antigens (haptens) can be coupled toantigenically neutral carriers such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)or serum albumin [e.g., bovine serum albumine (BSA)] carriers (see U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,189,178 and 5,239,078 and Examples 2 of the Examplessection). Coupling to carrier can be effected using methods well knownin the art; For example, direct coupling to amino groups can be effectedand optionally followed by reduction of imino linkage formed.Alternatively, the carrier can be coupled using condensing agents suchas dicyclohexyl carbodiimide or other carbodiimide dehydrating agents.Linker compounds can also be used to effect the coupling; bothhomobifunctional and heterobifunctional linkers are available fromPierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill. The resulting immunogeniccomplex can then be injected into suitable mammalian subjects such asmice, rabbits, and the like. Suitable protocols involve repeatedinjection of the immunogen in the presence of adjuvants according to aschedule which boosts production of antibodies in the serum. The titersof the immune serum can readily be measured using immunoassay procedureswhich are well known in the art.

The antisera obtained can be used directly or monoclonal antibodies maybe obtained as described hereinabove.

Antibody fragments can be obtained using methods well known in the art.(See for example, Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, ColdSpring Harbor Laboratory, New York, 1988, incorporated herein byreference). For example, antibody fragments according to the presentinvention can be prepared by proteolytic hydrolysis of the antibody orby expression in E. coli or mammalian cells (e.g. Chinese hamster ovarycell culture or other protein expression systems) of DNA encoding thefragment.

Alternatively, antibody fragments can be obtained by pepsin or papaindigestion of whole antibodies by conventional methods. For example,antibody fragments can be produced by enzymatic cleavage of antibodieswith pepsin to provide a 5S fragment denoted F(ab′)₂. This fragment canbe further cleaved using a thiol reducing agent, and optionally ablocking group for the sulfhydryl groups resulting from cleavage ofdisulfide linkages, to produce 3.5S Fab′ monovalent fragments.Alternatively, an enzymatic cleavage using pepsin produces twomonovalent Fab′ fragments and an Fc fragment directly. These methods aredescribed, for example, by Goldenberg, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,036,945 and4,331,647, and references contained therein, which patents are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety. See also Porter, R. R.,Biochem. J., 73: 119-126, 1959. Other methods of cleaving antibodies,such as separation of heavy chains to form monovalent light-heavy chainfragments, further cleavage of fragments, or other enzymatic, chemical,or genetic techniques may also be used, so long as the fragments bind tothe antigen that is recognized by the intact antibody.

Fv fragments comprise an association of V_(H) and V_(L) chains. Thisassociation may be noncovalent, as described in Inbar et al., Proc.Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 69:2659-62, 1972. Alternatively, the variablechains can be linked by an intermolecular disulfide bond or cross-linkedby chemicals such as glutaraldehyde. Preferably, the Fv fragmentscomprise V_(H) and V_(L) chains connected by a peptide linker. Thesesingle-chain antigen binding proteins (sFv) are prepared by constructinga structural gene comprising DNA sequences encoding the V_(H) and V_(L)domains connected by an oligonucleotide. The structural gene is insertedinto an expression vector, which is subsequently introduced into a hostcell such as E. coli. The recombinant host cells synthesize a singlepolypeptide chain with a linker peptide bridging the two V domains.Methods for producing sFvs are described, for example, by Whitlow andFilpula, Methods, 2: 97-105, 1991; Bird et al., Science 242:423-426,1988; Pack et al., Bio/Technology 11:1271-77, 1993; and Ladner et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778.

CDR peptides (“minimal recognition units”) can be obtained byconstructing genes encoding the CDR of an antibody of interest. Suchgenes are prepared, for example, by using the polymerase chain reactionto synthesize the variable region from RNA of antibody-producing cells.See, for example, Larrick and Fry, Methods, 2: 106-10, 1991.

It will be appreciated that for human therapy or diagnostics, humanizedantibodies are preferably used. Humanized forms of non-human (e.g.,murine) antibodies are chimeric molecules of immunoglobulins,immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab′,F(ab′)₂ or other antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) whichcontain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin.Humanized antibodies include human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody)in which residues form a complementary determining region (CDR) of therecipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species(donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desiredspecificity, affinity and capacity. In some instances, Fv frameworkresidues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by correspondingnon-human residues. Humanized antibodies may also comprise residueswhich are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the importedCDR or framework sequences. In general, the humanized antibody willcomprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variabledomains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspondto those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all ofthe FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence.The humanized antibody optimally also will include at least a portion ofan immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a humanimmunoglobulin [Jones et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann etal., Nature, 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol.,2:593-596 (1992)].

Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known in the art.Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residuesintroduced into it from a source which is non-human. These non-humanamino acid residues are often referred to as import residues, which aretypically taken from an import variable domain. Humanization can beessentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers[Jones et al., Nature, 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature332:323-327 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science, 239:1534-1536 (1988)], bysubstituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the correspondingsequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such humanized antibodiesare chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein substantiallyless than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by thecorresponding sequence from a non-human species. In practice, humanizedantibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues andpossibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogoussites in rodent antibodies.

Human antibodies can also be produced using various techniques known inthe art, including phage display libraries [Hoogenboom and Winter, J.Mol. Biol., 227:381 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581(1991)]. The techniques of Cole et al. and Boerner et al. are alsoavailable for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies (Cole etal., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, p. 77(1985) and Boerner et al., J. Immunol., 147(1):86-95 (1991)]. Similarly,human can be made by introducing of human immunoglobulin loci intotransgenic animals, e.g., mice in which the endogenous immunoglobulingenes have been partially or completely inactivated. Upon challenge,human antibody production is observed, which closely resembles that seenin humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, andantibody repertoire. This approach is described, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425;5,661,016, and in the following scientific publications: Marks et al.,Bio/Technology 10, 779-783 (1992); Lonberg et al., Nature 368 856-859(1994); Morrison, Nature 368 812-13 (1994); Fishwild et al., NatureBiotechnology 14, 845-51 (1996); Neuberger, Nature Biotechnology 14, 826(1996); Lonberg and Huszar, Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13 65-93 (1995).

Once antibodies are obtained, they may be tested for metalloproteininhibitory activity. Appropriate assay conditions for metalloproteininhibition activity are described in Knight et al., FEBS Letters296(3):263-266 (1992), Cawston et al., Anal. Biochem, 99:340-345 (1979),Cawston et al., Methods in Enzymology 80:771 et seq. (1981); Cawston etal., Biochem. J., 195:159-165 (1981), Weingarten et al., Biochem.Biophys. Res. Comm., 139:1184-1187 (1984) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,743,587and 5,240,958.

As mentioned, using the above-methodology, the present inventors wereable to produce a matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitory antibody forMMP-2 and MMP-9, termed 6C6, a sequence of which is provided in SEQ IDNO: 1. CDR sequences are provided in SEQ ID NOs.7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Thus, the present invention provides for any (poly)peptide sequencewhich comprises at least one of the above-mentioned CDR sequences aswell as homologs and fragments thereof as long as its metalloproteininhibitory activity is retained (specific inhibition of the catalyticactivity of the metalloprotein). An example of such a polypeptide is anantibody (see above).

The term “polypeptide” as used herein encompasses native peptides(either degradation products, synthetically synthesized peptides orrecombinant peptides) and peptidomimetics (typically, syntheticallysynthesized peptides), as well as peptoids and semipeptoids which arepeptide analogs, which may have, for example, modifications renderingthe peptides more stable while in a body or more capable of penetratinginto cells. Such modifications include, but are not limited to Nterminus modification, C terminus modification, peptide bondmodification, including, but not limited to, CH2—NH, CH2—S, CH2—S═O,O═C—NH, CH2—O, CH2—CH2, S═C—NH, CH═CH or CF═CH, backbone modifications,and residue modification. Methods for preparing peptidomimetic compoundsare well known in the art and are specified, for example, inQuantitative Drug Design, C. A. Ramsden Gd., Chapter 17.2, F. ChoplinPergamon Press (1992), which is incorporated by reference as if fullyset forth herein. Further details in this respect are providedhereinunder.

Peptide bonds (—CO—NH—) within the peptide may be substituted, forexample, by N-methylated bonds (—N(CH₃)—CO—), ester bonds(—C(R)H—C—O—O—C(R)—N—), ketomethylen bonds (—CO—CH2-), α-aza bonds(—NH—N(R)—CO—), wherein R is any alkyl, e.g., methyl, carba bonds(—CH2-NH—), hydroxyethylene bonds (—CH(OH)—CH2-), thioamide bonds(—CS—NH—), olefinic double bonds (—CH═CH—), retro amide bonds (—NH—CO—),peptide derivatives (—N(R)—CH2-CO—), wherein R is the “normal” sidechain, naturally presented on the carbon atom.

These modifications can occur at any of the bonds along the peptidechain and even at several (2-3) at the same time.

Natural aromatic amino acids, Trp, Tyr and Phe, may be substituted forsynthetic non-natural acid such as Phenylglycine, Tic, naphtylalanine(Nal), phenylisoserine, threoninol, ring-methylated derivatives of Phe,halogenated derivatives of Phe or o-methyl-Tyr.

In addition to the above, the peptides of the present invention may alsoinclude one or more modified amino acids or one or more non-amino acidmonomers (e.g. fatty acids, complex carbohydrates etc).

As used herein in the specification and in the claims section below theterm “amino acid” or “amino acids” is understood to include the 20naturally occurring amino acids; those amino acids often modifiedpost-translationally in vivo, including, for example, hydroxyproline,phosphoserine and phosphothreonine; and other unusual amino acidsincluding, but not limited to, 2-aminoadipic acid, hydroxylysine,isodesmosine, nor-valine, nor-leucine and ornithine. Furthermore, theterm “amino acid” includes both D- and L-amino acids.

Tables 1 and 2 below list naturally occurring amino acids (Table 1) andnon-conventional or modified amino acids (e.g., synthetic, Table 2)which can be used with the present invention.

TABLE 1 Three-Letter Amino Acid Abbreviation One-letter Symbol alanineAla A Arginine Arg R Asparagine Asn N Aspartic acid Asp D Cysteine Cys CGlutamine Gln Q Glutamic Acid Glu E glycine Gly G Histidine His Hisoleucine Iie I leucine Leu L Lysine Lys K Methionine Met Mphenylalanine Phe F Proline Pro P Serine Ser S Threonine Thr Ttryptophan Trp W tyrosine Tyr Y Valine Val V Any amino acid as above XaaX

TABLE 2 Non-conventional amino acid Code Non-conventional amino acidCode α-aminobutyric acid Abu L-N-methylalanine Nmalaα-amino-α-methylbutyrate Mgabu L-N-methylarginine Nmargaminocyclopropane- Cpro L-N-methylasparagine Nmasn carboxylateL-N-methylaspartic acid Nmasp aminoisobutyric acid AibL-N-methylcysteine Nmcys aminonorbornyl- Norb L-N-methylglutamine Nmgincarboxylate L-N-methylglutamic acid Nmglu cyclohexylalanine ChexaL-N-methylhistidine Nmhis cyclopentylalanine Cpen L-N-methylisolleucineNmile D-alanine Dal L-N-methylleucine Nmleu D-arginine DargL-N-methyllysine Nmlys D-aspartic acid Dasp L-N-methylmethionine NmmetD-cysteine Dcys L-N-methylnorleucine Nmnle D-glutamine DglnL-N-methylnorvaline Nmnva D-glutamic acid Dglu L-N-methylornithine NmornD-histidine Dhis L-N-methylphenylalanine Nmphe D-isoleucine DileL-N-methylproline Nmpro D-leucine Dleu L-N-methylserine Nmser D-lysineDlys L-N-methylthreonine Nmthr D-methionine Dmet L-N-methyltryptophanNmtrp D-ornithine Dorn L-N-methyltyrosine Nmtyr D-phenylalanine DpheL-N-methylvaline Nmval D-proline Dpro L-N-methylethylglycine NmetgD-serine Dser L-N-methyl-t-butylglycine Nmtbug D-threonine DthrL-norleucine Nle D-tryptophan Dtrp L-norvaline Nva D-tyrosine Dtyrα-methyl-aminoisobutyrate Maib D-valine Dval α-methyl-γ-aminobutyrateMgabu D-α-methylalanine Dmala α-methylcyclohexylalanine MchexaD-α-methylarginine Dmarg α-methylcyclopentylalanine McpenD-α-methylasparagine Dmasn α-methyl-α-napthylalanine ManapD-α-methylaspartate Dmasp α-methylpenicillamine Mpen D-α-methylcysteineDmcys N-(4-aminobutyl)glycine Nglu D-α-methylglutamine DmglnN-(2-aminoethyl)glycine Naeg D-α-methylhistidine DmhisN-(3-aminopropyl)glycine Norn D-α-methylisoleucine DmileN-amino-α-methylbutyrate Nmaabu D-α-methylleucine Dmleu α-napthylalanineAnap D-α-methyllysine Dmlys N-benzylglycine Nphe D-α-methylmethionineDmmet N-(2-carbamylethyl)glycine Ngln D-α-methylornithine DmornN-(carbamylmethyl)glycine Nasn D-α-methylphenylalanine DmpheN-(2-carboxyethyl)glycine Nglu D-α-methylproline DmproN-(carboxymethyl)glycine Nasp D-α-methylserine Dmser N-cyclobutylglycineNcbut D-α-methylthreonine Dmthr N-cycloheptylglycine NchepD-α-methyltryptophan Dmtrp N-cyclohexylglycine Nchex D-α-methyltyrosineDmty N-cyclodecylglycine Ncdec D-α-methylvaline DmvalN-cyclododeclglycine Ncdod D-α-methylalnine Dnmala N-cyclooctylglycineNcoct D-α-methylarginine Dnmarg N-cyclopropylglycine NcproD-α-methylasparagine Dnmasn N-cycloundecylglycine NcundD-α-methylasparatate Dnmasp N-(2,2-diphenylethyl)glycine NbhmD-α-methylcysteine Dnmcys N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)glycine NbheD-N-methylleucine Dnmleu N-(3-indolylyethyl) glycine NhtrpD-N-methyllysine Dnmlys N-methyl-γ-aminobutyrate NmgabuN-methylcyclohexylalanine Nmchexa D-N-methylmethionine DnmmetD-N-methylornithine Dnmorn N-methylcyclopentylalanine NmcpenN-methylglycine Nala D-N-methylphenylalanine DnmpheN-methylaminoisobutyrate Nmaib D-N-methylproline DnmproN-(1-methylpropyl)glycine Nile D-N-methylserine DnmserN-(2-methylpropyl)glycine Nile D-N-methylserine DnmserN-(2-methylpropyl)glycine Nleu D-N-methylthreonine DnmthrD-N-methyltryptophan Dnmtrp N-(1-methylethyl)glycine NvaD-N-methyltyrosine Dnmtyr N-methyla-napthylalanine NmanapD-N-methylvaline Dnmval N-methylpenicillamine Nmpen γ-aminobutyric acidGabu N-(p-hydroxyphenyl)glycine Nhtyr L-t-butylglycine TbugN-(thiomethyl)glycine Ncys L-ethylglycine Etg penicillamine PenL-homophenylalanine Hphe L-α-methylalanine Mala L-α-methylarginine MargL-α-methylasparagine Masn L-α-methylaspartate MaspL-α-methyl-t-butylglycine Mtbug L-α-methylcysteine McysL-methylethylglycine Metg L-α-methylglutamine Mgln L-α-methylglutamateMglu L-α-methylhistidine Mhis L-α-methylhomo phenylalanine MhpheL-α-methylisoleucine Mile N-(2-methylthioethyl)glycine NmetD-N-methylglutamine Dnmgln N-(3-guanidinopropyl)glycine NargD-N-methylglutamate Dnmglu N-(1-hydroxyethyl)glycine NthrD-N-methylhistidine Dnmhis N-(hydroxyethyl)glycine NserD-N-methylisoleucine Dnmile N-(imidazolylethyl)glycine NhisD-N-methylleucine Dnmleu N-(3-indolylyethyl)glycine NhtrpD-N-methyllysine Dnmlys N-methyl-γ-aminobutyrate NmgabuN-methylcyclohexylalanine Nmchexa D-N-methylmethionine DnmmetD-N-methylornithine Dnmorn N-methylcyclopentylalanine NmcpenN-methylglycine Nala D-N-methylphenylalanine DnmpheN-methylaminoisobutyrate Nmaib D-N-methylproline DnmproN-(1-methylpropyl)glycine Nile D-N-methylserine DnmserN-(2-methylpropyl)glycine Nleu D-N-methylthreonine DnmthrD-N-methyltryptophan Dnmtrp N-(1-methylethyl)glycine NvalD-N-methyltyrosine Dnmtyr N-methyla-napthylalanine NmanapD-N-methylvaline Dnmval N-methylpenicillamine Nmpen γ-aminobutyric acidGabu N-(p-hydroxyphenyl)glycine Nhtyr L-t-butylglycine TbugN-(thiomethyl)glycine Ncys L-ethylglycine Etg penicillamine PenL-homophenylalanine Hphe L-α-methylalanine Mala L-α-methylarginine MargL-α-methylasparagine Masn L-α-methylaspartate MaspL-α-methyl-t-butylglycine Mtbug L-α-methylcysteine McysL-methylethylglycine Metg L-α-methylglutamine Mgln L-α-methylglutamateMglu L-α-methylhistidine Mhis L-α-methylhomophenylalanine MhpheL-α-methylisoleucine Mile N-(2-methylthioethyl)glycine NmetL-α-methylleucine Mleu L-α-methyllysine Mlys L-α-methylmethionine MmetL-α-methylnorleucine Mnle L-α-methylnorvaline Mnva L-α-methylornithineMorn L-α-methylphenylalanine Mphe L-α-methylproline MproL-α-methylserine mser L-α-methylthreonine Mthr L-α-methylvaline MtrpL-α-methyltyrosine Mtyr L-α-methylleucine Mval NnbhmL-N-methylhomophenylalanine Nmhphe N-(N-(2,2-diphenylethyl)N-(N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl) carbamylmethyl-glycine Nnbhmcarbamylmethyl(1)glycine Nnbhe 1-carboxy-1-(2,2-diphenyl Nmbcethylamino)cyclopropane

Peptides with improved affinity to a metalloprotease of interest orenhanced biological activity may be generated by methods well known inthe art including phage display and computational biology.

The peptides of the present invention may be synthesized by anytechniques that are known to those skilled in the art of peptidesynthesis. For solid phase peptide synthesis, a summary of the manytechniques may be found in: Stewart, J. M. and Young, J. D. (1963),“Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis,” W. H. Freeman Co. (San Francisco); andMeienhofer, J (1973). “Hormonal Proteins and Peptides,” vol. 2, p. 46,Academic Press (New York). For a review of classical solution synthesis,see Schroder, G. and Lupke, K. (1965). The Peptides, vol. 1, AcademicPress (New York). For recombinant techniques see references furtherbelow.

Also contemplates are nucleic acid sequences which encode theabove-described polypeptide sequences (see SEQ ID NOs. 13, 14, 15, 16,17 and 18).

As is mentioned hereinabove, one specific use for the antibodies of thepresent invention is prevention or treatment of diseases associated withimbalanced or abnormal activity of metalloproteins such asmetalloproteases.

Examples of such disease include, but are not limited to, arthriticdiseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), septicarthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, polychondritis and tendonitis;metastatic tumors, periodontal diseases; corneal ulceration, such asinduced by alkali or other burns, by radiation, by vitamin E or retinoiddeficiency; glomerular diseases, such as proteinuria, dytrophobicepidermolysis bullosa; bone resorption diseases, such as osteoporosis,Paget's disease, hyperparathyroidism and cholesteatoma; birth controlthrough preventing ovulation or implantation; angiogenesis relating totumor growth or to the neovascularization associated with diabeticretinopathy and macular degeneration; coronary thrombosis associatedwith atherosclerotic plaque rupture; pulmonary emphysema, wound healingand HIV infection.

As illustrated in Example 10, the present inventors have shown that theantibodies of the present invention may be used to treat an irritablebowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are severe gastrointestinal disorderscharacterized by intestinal inflammation and tissue remodeling, thatincrease in frequency and may prove disabling for patients. The majorforms of IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease are chronic,relapsing conditions that are clinically characterized by abdominalpain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and fever.

Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of inhibiting matrix metalloprotease activity in asubject in need thereof.

Preferred individual subjects according to the present invention areanimals such as mammals (e.g., canines, felines, ovines, porcines,equines, bovines, primates) preferably, humans.

The method comprises providing to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of the MMP inhibitor of the present invention (i.e.,the antibody or antibody fragments, described hereinabove).

As is further detailed hereinbelow, the MMP inhibitor can be providedvia direct administration (e.g., oral administration or injection) or itcan be expressed from a polynucleotide construct administered to targetcells of the individual.

The MMP inhibitors of the present invention can be provided to anindividual per se, or as part of a pharmaceutical composition where itis mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

As used herein a “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a preparation ofone or more of the active ingredients described herein with otherchemical components such as physiologically suitable carriers andexcipients. The purpose of a pharmaceutical composition is to facilitateadministration of a compound to an organism.

Herein the term “active ingredient” refers to the antibody preparation,which is accountable for the biological effect.

Hereinafter, the phrases “physiologically acceptable carrier” and“pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” which may be interchangeably usedrefer to a carrier or a diluent that does not cause significantirritation to an organism and does not abrogate the biological activityand properties of the administered compound. An adjuvant is includedunder these phrases. One of the ingredients included in thepharmaceutically acceptable carrier can be for example polyethyleneglycol (PEG), a biocompatible polymer with a wide range of solubility inboth organic and aqueous media (Mutter et al. (1979).

Herein the term “excipient” refers to an inert substance added to apharmaceutical composition to further facilitate administration of anactive ingredient. Examples, without limitation, of excipients includecalcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars and types ofstarch, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, vegetable oils and polyethyleneglycols.

Techniques for formulation and administration of drugs may be found in“Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.,latest edition, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable routes of administration may, for example, include oral,rectal, transmucosal, especially transnasal, intestinal or parenteraldelivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous and intramedullaryinjections as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intravenous,inrtaperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections.

Alternately, one may administer a preparation in a local rather thansystemic manner, for example, via injection of the preparation directlyinto a specific region of a patient's body.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufacturedby processes well known in the art, e.g., by means of conventionalmixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying,encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes.

Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the presentinvention may be formulated in conventional manner using one or morephysiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients andauxiliaries, which facilitate processing of the active ingredients intopreparations which, can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation isdependent upon the route of administration chosen.

For injection, the active ingredients of the invention may be formulatedin aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible bufferssuch as Hank's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saltbuffer. For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to thebarrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants aregenerally known in the art.

For oral administration, the compounds can be formulated readily bycombining the active compounds with pharmaceutically acceptable carrierswell known in the art. Such carriers enable the compounds of theinvention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules,liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for oralingestion by a patient. Pharmacological preparations for oral use can bemade using a solid excipient, optionally grinding the resulting mixture,and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitableauxiliaries if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitableexcipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, includinglactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as,for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch,gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose,hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carbomethylcellulose; and/orphysiologically acceptable polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as cross-linkedpolyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such assodium alginate.

Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose,concentrated sugar solutions may be used which may optionally containgum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethyleneglycol, titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions and suitable organicsolvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to thetablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterizedifferent combinations of active compound doses.

Pharmaceutical compositions, which can be used orally, include push-fitcapsules made of gelatin as well as soft, sealed capsules made ofgelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fitcapsules may contain the active ingredients in admixture with fillersuch as lactose, binders such as starches, lubricants such as talc ormagnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, theactive ingredients may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids,such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. Inaddition, stabilizers may be added. All formulations for oraladministration should be in dosages suitable for the chosen route ofadministration.

For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tabletsor lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

For administration by nasal inhalation, the active ingredients for useaccording to the present invention are conveniently delivered in theform of an aerosol spray presentation from a pressurized pack or anebulizer with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g.,dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane,dichloro-tetrafluoroethane or carbon dioxide. In the case of apressurized aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined by providing avalve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of, e.g.,gelatin for use in a dispenser may be formulated containing a powder mixof the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

The preparations described herein may be formulated for parenteraladministration, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion.Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g.,in ampoules or in multidose containers with optionally, an addedpreservative. The compositions may be suspensions, solutions oremulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatoryagents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.

Pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration includeaqueous solutions of the active preparation in water-soluble form.Additionally, suspensions of the active ingredients may be prepared asappropriate oily or water based injection suspensions. Suitablelipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil,or synthetic fatty acids esters such as ethyl oleate, triglycerides orliposomes. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances, whichincrease the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may alsocontain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility ofthe active ingredients to allow for the preparation of highlyconcentrated solutions.

Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form forconstitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile, pyrogen-free waterbased solution, before use.

The preparation of the present invention may also be formulated inrectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, using,e.g., conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or otherglycerides.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in context of the presentinvention include compositions wherein the active ingredients arecontained in an amount effective to achieve the intended purpose. Morespecifically, a therapeutically effective amount means an amount ofactive ingredients effective to prevent, alleviate or amelioratesymptoms of disease or prolong the survival of the subject beingtreated.

Determination of a therapeutically effective amount is well within thecapability of those skilled in the art.

For any preparation used in the methods of the invention, thetherapeutically effective amount or dose can be estimated initially fromin vitro assays. For example, a dose can be formulated in animal modelsand such information can be used to more accurately determine usefuldoses in humans.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of the active ingredients describedherein can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in vitro,in cell cultures or experimental animals. The data obtained from thesein vitro and cell culture assays and animal studies can be used informulating a range of dosage for use in human. The dosage may varydepending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administrationutilized. The exact formulation, route of administration and dosage canbe chosen by the individual physician in view of the patient'scondition. [See e.g., Fingl, et al., (1975) “The Pharmacological Basisof Therapeutics”, Ch. 1 p. 1].

Depending on the severity and responsiveness of the condition to betreated, dosing can be of a single or a plurality of administrations,with course of treatment lasting from several days to several weeks oruntil cure is effected or diminution of the disease state is achieved.

The amount of a composition to be administered will, of course, bedependent on the subject being treated, the severity of the affliction,the manner of administration, the judgment of the prescribing physician,etc.

Compositions including the preparation of the present inventionformulated in a compatible pharmaceutical carrier may also be prepared,placed in an appropriate container, and labeled for treatment of anindicated condition.

Compositions of the present invention may, if desired, be presented in apack or dispenser device, such as an FDA approved kit, which may containone or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient. The packmay, for example, comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blisterpack. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructionsfor administration. The pack or dispenser may also be accommodated by anotice associated with the container in a form prescribed by agovernmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale ofpharmaceuticals, which notice is reflective of approval by the agency ofthe form of the compositions or human or veterinary administration. Suchnotice, for example, may be of labeling approved by the U.S. Food andDrug Administration for prescription drugs or of an approved productinsert.

As described hereinabove, the antibody inhibitors of the presentinvention can be expressed from a nucleic acid construct.

It will be appreciated that polynucleotides encoding the antibodies ofthe present invention preferably further encode a signal peptide whichallows secretion or trafficking of the antibodies into a subcellular orextracellular localization of interest. For example, when the targetmetalloprotein is an MMP, a secretory signal peptide is preferablyconjugated inframe to the polynucleotide encoding antibody segment.

It will be further appreciated that recombinant single-chain Fv (ScFv)fragments may be preferably expressed because of their considerably lesscomplicated structure as compared to whole antibody molecules. Asdescribed hereinabove ScFvs are proteins consisting of the V_(L) andV_(H) antibody polypeptide chains synthesized as a single chain with thecarboxyl terminus of V_(L) linked by a peptide bridge to the aminoterminus of V_(H) Methods for recombinantly producing these peptides arewell known in the art [see Bird et al., Science 242:423-426 (1988);Huston et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883 (1988); and deKruif et al., J. Mol. Biol. 248:97-105 (1995)]. According to embodimentsof this aspect of the present invention, following immunization with thecompounds of the present invention, splenic, mRNA is harvested from theimmunized animal and used to produce a cDNA library in a bacteriophagewhich displays the ScFv fragments. Phage particles are then screened todetermine those that interact specifically and preferably with theactivated form of the metalloprotein of interest. ScFv segments arerecovered from these phage particles, and cloned into an expressionconstruct (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,814).

The nucleic acid constructs of this aspect of the present invention canbe administered to target cells of the individual subject (i.e., in-vivogene therapy).

Alternatively, the nucleic acid construct is introduced into a suitablecell via an appropriate gene delivery vehicle/method (transfection,transduction, homologous recombination, etc.) and an expression systemas needed and then the modified cells are expanded in culture andreturned to the individual (i.e., ex-vivo gene therapy).

To enable cellular expression of the antibodies or antibody fragments ofthe present invention, the nucleic acid construct of the presentinvention further includes at least one cis acting regulatory element.As used herein, the phrase “cis acting regulatory element” refers to apolynucleotide sequence, preferably a promoter, which binds a transacting regulator and regulates the transcription of a coding sequencelocated downstream thereto.

Any available promoter can be used by the present methodology. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the promoter utilized bythe nucleic acid construct of the present invention is active in thespecific cell population transformed. Examples of cell type-specificand/or tissue-specific promoters include promoters such as albumin thatis liver specific [Pinkert et al., (1987) Genes Dev. 1:268-277],lymphoid specific promoters [Calame et al., (1988) Adv. Immunol.43:235-275]; in particular promoters of T-cell receptors [Winoto et al.,(1989) EMBO J. 8:729-733] and immunoglobulins; [Banerji et al. (1983)Cell 33729-740], neuron-specific promoters such as the neurofilamentpromoter [Byrne et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:5473-5477],pancreas-specific promoters [Edlunch et al. (1985) Science 230:912-916]or mammary gland-specific promoters such as the milk whey promoter (U.S.Pat. No. 4,873,316 and European Application Publication No. 264, 166).The nucleic acid construct of the present invention can further includean enhancer, which can be adjacent or distant to the promoter sequenceand can function in up regulating the transcription therefrom.

The constructs of the present methodology preferably further include anappropriate selectable marker and/or an origin of replication.Preferably, the construct utilized is a shuttle vector, which canpropagate both in E. coli (wherein the construct comprises anappropriate selectable marker and origin of replication) and becompatible for propagation in cells, or integration in a gene and atissue of choice. The construct according to the present invention canbe, for example, a plasmid, a bacmid, a phagemid, a cosmid, a phage, avirus or an artificial chromosome.

Currently preferred in vivo nucleic acid transfer techniques includetransfection with viral or non-viral constructs, such as adenovirus,lentivirus, Herpes simplex I virus, or adeno-associated virus (AAV) andlipid-based systems. Useful lipids for lipid-mediated transfer of thegene are, for example, DOTMA, DOPE, and DC-Chol [Tonkinson et al.,Cancer Investigation, 14(1): 54-65 (1996)]. The most preferredconstructs for use in gene therapy are viruses, most preferablyadenoviruses, AAV, lentiviruses, or retroviruses. A viral construct suchas a retroviral construct includes at least one transcriptionalpromoter/enhancer or locus-defining element(s), or other elements thatcontrol gene expression by other means such as alternate splicing,nuclear RNA export, or post-translational modification of messenger.Such vector constructs also include a packaging signal, long terminalrepeats (LTRs) or portions thereof, and positive and negative strandprimer binding sites appropriate to the virus used, unless it is alreadypresent in the viral construct. In addition, such a construct typicallyincludes a signal sequence for secretion of the peptide or antibody froma host cell in which it is placed. Preferably the signal sequence forthis purpose is a mammalian signal sequence. Optionally, the constructmay also include a signal that directs polyadenylation, as well as oneor more restriction sites and a translation termination sequence. By wayof example, such constructs will typically include a 5′ LTR, a tRNAbinding site, a packaging signal, an origin of second-strand DNAsynthesis, and a 3′ LTR or a portion thereof. Other vectors can be usedthat are non-viral, such as cationic lipids, polylysine, and dendrimers.

Preferred modes for executing gene therapy protocols are provided inSomia and Verma [(2000) Nature Reviews 1:91-99], Isner (2002) Myocardialgene therapy. Nature 415:234-239; High (2001) Gene therapy: a 2001perspective. Haemophilia 7:23-27; and Hammond and McKirnan (2001)Angiogenic gene therapy for heart disease: a review of animal studiesand clinical trials. 49:561-567.

Because of the ability of the antibodies of the present invention todifferentially recognize the activated form of metalloprotein (seeExample 3 of the Examples section), they can be used as potentdiagnostic and prognostic tools, such as by monitoring MMP activity in abiological sample [i.e., any body sample such as blood (serum orplasma), sputum, ascites fluids, pleural effusions, urine, biopsyspecimens, isolated cells and/or cell membrane preparation]. This is ofspecial significance when evaluating the metastatic features of cancercells, wherein imbalanced activation of MMPs facilitate tumor invasion.Likewise, the antibodies of the present invention can be used inmonitoring therapeutic dosage of MMP inhibitors. For such applicationsthe antibodies of the present invention are preferably labeled with eachof any radioactive, fluorescent, biological or enzymatic tags or labelsof standard use in the art. U.S. patents concerning the use of suchlabels include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350;3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149 and 4,366,241.

It will be appreciated that such detection methods can also be used forhigh throughput screening of novel MMPs. Briefly, multiple biologicalsamples can be contacted with the antibodies of the present invention,where activated MMPs can bind thereto. Measures are taken to usebiological samples, which include activated MMPs such as those derivedfrom tumor cell-lines. Typically, a radioactive label is used to reducethe assay volume.

Alternatively, the antibodies of the present invention can be used topurify active metalloenzymes from biological samples.

Numerous protein purification methods are known in the art. For example,the antibodies or antibody fragments of the present invention can beused in affinity chromatography for isolating the metalloenzymes.Columns can be prepared where the antibodies are linked to a solidsubstrate, e.g., particles, such as agarose, Sephadex, and the like, andthe biological sample, such as a cell lysate may be passed through thecolumn, the column washed, followed by increasing concentrations of amild denaturant, whereby the purified metalloenzyme will be released.

The antibodies or fragments thereof generated according to the teachingsof the present invention can be included in a diagnostic or therapeutickit. Antibodies or antibody fragments can be packaged in a one or morecontainers with appropriate buffers and preservatives and used fordiagnosis or for directing therapeutic treatment.

Thus, the antibodies or fragments thereof can be each mixed in a singlecontainer or placed in individual containers. Preferably, the containersinclude a label. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles,vials, syringes, and test tubes. The containers may be formed from avariety of materials such as glass or plastic.

In addition, other additives such as stabilizers, buffers, blockers andthe like may also be added. The antibodies of such kits can also beattached to a solid support, such as beads, array substrate (e.g.,chips) and the like and used for diagnostic purposes. The kit can alsoinclude instructions for determining if the tested subject is sufferingfrom, or is at risk of developing, a condition, disorder, or diseaseassociated with expression of an MMP of interest.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the presentinvention will become apparent to one ordinarily skilled in the art uponexamination of the following examples, which are not intended to belimiting. Additionally, each of the various embodiments and aspects ofthe present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in theclaims section below finds experimental support in the followingexamples.

EXAMPLES

Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with theabove descriptions, illustrate the invention in a non limiting fashion.

Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory proceduresutilized in the present invention include molecular, biochemical,microbiological and recombinant DNA techniques. Such techniques arethoroughly explained in the literature. See, for example, “MolecularCloning: A laboratory Manual” Sambrook et al., (1989); “CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology” Volumes I-III Ausubel, R. M., ed.(1994); Ausubel et al., “Current Protocols in Molecular Biology”, JohnWiley and Sons, Baltimore, Md. (1989); Perbal, “A Practical Guide toMolecular Cloning”, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1988); Watson et al.,“Recombinant DNA”, Scientific American Books, New York; Birren et al.(eds) “Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual Series”, Vols. 1-4, ColdSpring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1998); methodologies as setforth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,666,828; 4,683,202; 4,801,531; 5,192,659 and5,272,057; “Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook”, Volumes I-III Cellis,J. E., ed. (1994); “Current Protocols in Immunology” Volumes I-IIIColigan J. E., ed. (1994); Stites et al. (eds), “Basic and ClinicalImmunology” (8th Edition), Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn. (1994);Mishell and Shiigi (eds), “Selected Methods in Cellular Immunology”, W.H. Freeman and Co., New York (1980); available immunoassays areextensively described in the patent and scientific literature, see, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,791,932; 3,839,153; 3,850,752; 3,850,578;3,853,987; 3,867,517; 3,879,262; 3,901,654; 3,935,074; 3,984,533;3,996,345; 4,034,074; 4,098,876; 4,879,219; 5,011,771 and 5,281,521;“Oligonucleotide Synthesis” Gait, M. J., ed. (1984); “Nucleic AcidHybridization” Hames, B. D., and Higgins S. J., eds. (1985);“Transcription and Translation” Hames, B. D., and Higgins S. J., Eds.(1984); “Animal Cell Culture” Freshney, R. I., ed. (1986); “ImmobilizedCells and Enzymes” IRL Press, (1986); “A Practical Guide to MolecularCloning” Perbal, B., (1984) and “Methods in Enzymology” Vol. 1-317,Academic Press; “PCR Protocols: A Guide To Methods And Applications”,Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990); Marshak et al., “Strategiesfor Protein Purification and Characterization—A Laboratory CourseManual” CSHL Press (1996); all of which are incorporated by reference asif fully set forth herein. Other general references are providedthroughout this document. The procedures therein are believed to be wellknown in the art and are provided for the convenience of the reader. Allthe information contained therein is incorporated herein by reference.

Materials and Methods

Recombinant enzymes—The catalytic domain of MMP-2 (amino acids 110-467of GenBank Accession NO. NP_(—)032636.1) was expressed under the T7promoter in BL-21 cells. The cells were induced with 1 mMisopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside for 5 h. The cell pellet wasresuspended in 50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 0.5 mM EDTA, 50 mM NaCl, 5% glyceroland 1% Triton X-100 at a 1:25 ratio of the buffer to the originalculture volume. The suspension was centrifuged for 10 min at 15,000 rpm,and the pellet was dissolved in 50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 0.5 mM EDTA, 50 mMNaCl, 5% glycerol, and 0.2% Sarkosyl followed by a 30-min incubation onice. The supernatant fraction was loaded onto a 5-ml gelatin-Sepharosecolumn (prepacked, Amersham Biosciences), preequilibrated, and washedwith dialysis buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 50 mM NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂, 10 μMZnCl₂, 0.02% Brij). The protein was eluted with 50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 1 MNaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂, 10 μM ZnCl₂, 0.02% Brij, and 15% Me2SO [Rosen, O.,Inhibition of MMPs by Monoclonal Antibodies. 2001] and assayed usingSDS-PAGE, and its catalytic activity was measured by fluorogenic peptidedegradation [Knight, C. G., F. Willenbrock, and G. Murphy, A novelcoumarin-labelled peptide for sensitive continuous assays of the matrixmetalloproteinases. FEBS Lett, 1992. 296(3): p. 263-6].

Pro-MMP-9 [lacking the hinge region and the hemopexin domain,Ala1-Gly424 |P14780|MMP9_HUMAN Matrix metalloproteinase-9 precursor(MMP-9) (EC 3.4.24.35)] was expressed in Escherichia coli ER2566 in apTWIN expression vector and was purified to homogeneity from inclusionbodies as described earlier [Bjorklund, M., P. Heikkila, and E.Koivunen, Peptide inhibition of catalytic and noncatalytic activities ofmatrix metalloproteinase-9 blocks tumor cell migration and invasion. JBiol Chem, 2004. 279(28): p. 29589-97]. Pro-MMP-9 was activated with 1mM p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA, ICN Biomedicals Inc., Ohio,USA), dissolved in 200 mM Tris, for 30 min at 37° C.

Human recombinant pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9, were expressed in HeLa S3cells infected with the corresponding recombinant vaccinia viruses andpurified to homogeneity as previously described [Olson, M. W., Gervasi,D. C., Mobashery, S., and Fridman, R. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272,29975-29983; Fridman, R., Fuerst, T. R., Bird, R. E., Hoyhtya, M.,Oelkuct, T. M., Kraus, S., Komarek, D., Liotta, L. A., Berman, M. L.;and Stetler-Stevenson, W. G. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 15398-15405].

Tetra-carboxy phenyl porphyrin Co(II)/Zn(II) (CoTCPP/ZnTCPP)—The ZnTCPPwas synthesized by the reaction of ZnCl₂, and TCPP inN,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as described Harada, A., et al., Control ofphotoinduced electron transfer from zinc-porphyrin to methyl viologen bysupramolecular formation between monoclonal antibody and zinc-porphyrin.Photochem Photobiol, 1999. 70(3): p. 298-302]. CoTCPP was synthesized bythe reaction of Co(OAc)₂.4H₂O and TCPP in DMF as described [Harada, A.,et al., Control of photoinduced electron transfer from zinc-porphyrin tomethyl viologen by supramolecular formation between monoclonal antibodyand zinc-porphyrin. Photochem Photobiol, 1999. 70(3): p. 298-302] andpurified.

Synthesis of Imisdp—Described in Example 7 hereinbelow.

Hapten conjugation to protein—The haptens (4 mg) were activated forconjugation by adding 1,1′-Carbonyldiimidazole in DMF (at a molar ratioof 1:1) and incubating for 1 h. One to 50 p moles of activated haptenwere added to 20 mg/mL BSA or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in 0.1 Mcarbonate buffer pH 8. The solution was stirred at room temperature for3 h and then extensively dialyzed against PBS.

Immunization and Fusion—Each of adjuvant (KLH) conjugated CoTCPP, ZnTCPPor Imisdp were used to immunize BALB/c mice. Immunization and subsequentfusion to the NSO myeloma cell line were performed according to standardprocedures [Harlow, E., and Lane, D., Using Antibodies: A LaboratoryManual Portable Protocol No. I. 1998].

Antibody Screening

ELISA—Supernatants of the growing hybridomas were screened forantibodies reactive with ZnTCPP, CoTCPP or Imisdp using direct ELISA inwhich respective hapten-BSA (3 μg/ml in PBS) was coated to Nunc maxisorpplates. The coating was performed at 4° C. overnight and incubation withantibodies at 20° C. for 1 h. HRP-conjugated anti-mouse mAb (Sigma) wasused as the secondary antibody and2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, ABTS, Sigma) wasused as substrate. PBS containing 0.005% v/v Tween 20 (PBST) was used aswashing reagent. The dilution buffer was PBS. A₆₀₂ was recorded bymicroplate reader in SPECTRAFluor Plus spectrometer (Tecan, Austria). Ascontrol supernatants were incubated with BSA coated plates in the samemanner. Absorbance values above 0.5 millioptical density were consideredas positive.

Competitive ELISA—Different dilutions of hybridoma supernatant wereincubated with hapten-BSA coated plates following the steps describedearlier. Titration curve was plotted and the titer dilution wasdetermined at 50% of binding. Supernatants diluted to the titerconcentration were preincubated with soluble ZnTCPP, CoTCPP or Imisdpcompounds for 30 minutes and then transferred to hapten-coatedmicrotiter plates following the steps described previously. Theestimated dissociation constant was the concentration of soluble haptenrequired to attain 50% binding.

Production and purification—Selected hybridomas were subcloned twice bylimited dilutions, followed by large-scale production by ascites tumorsprimed with pristine (2,6,10,14 tetramethylpentadecane) injected BALB/cmice. MAb were purified by the affinity chromatography on protein GSepharose 4 Fast Flow (Amersham Biosciences). Ascites was centrifuged at12,000 g for 15 min to remove the insoluble particles and lipid. The1-mL ascites was diluted into 5 times volume with PBS then loaded to the5-mL column volume protein G Sepharose. The elution peak was analyzed bySDS-PAGE.

Isotype determination—Culture supernatants obtained from clonedhybridomas grown in culture flasks were used as a source of mAb. Eachantibody was isotyped by a Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Isotyping Kit(HyCult biotechnology b.v., The Netherlands).

Immunoblot analysis of purified antibodies—Purified antibodies wereseparated in 8% SDS-polyacrylamide gel, transferred to NC membranes(Bio-Rad), and subsequently subjected to immunoblot analysis using antiMMP-9 antibody (Sigma). The goat anti-mouse IgG conjugated withhorseradish peroxidase (Sigma) was used as the secondary antibody.Signals were detected using ECL (Pierce).

Binding assay using purified proteins—MAbs (10 μg) were incubated withanti mouse IgG Agarose beads (Sigma) overnight at 4° C. in PBS. Afterwashing unbound antibody, purified Pro-MMP-2, Pro-MMP-9 MMP-2 catalyticdomain, MT1 catalytic domain or TACE (2 μg), were added following 2 hincubation at RT. The beads were collected by centrifugation and washedthree times with PBS. The proteins that remained bound to the beads wereeluted with SDS sample buffer, fractionated by SDS-PAGE, and detected bystaining with Coomassie blue.

Immunoprecipitation and Western Blot—HT1080 cells were seeded in petridishes. After reaching 80% confluence, the medium (DMEM supplementedwith 10% FCS, nonessential amino acids, penicillin, streptomycin, sodiumpyruvate, and L-glutamine) was changed to serum free medium (withoutFCS). Following another 24 h of incubation, conditioned medium (CM) washarvested from the adherent cells and concentrated using MilliporeCentricon-10 (Bedford, Mass.). Concentrated supernatants were used forimmunoprecipitations. CM was incubated with anti-1 (CoTCPP) mAb (15μg/ml) overnight at 4° C. Protein A Sepharose (CL-4B AmershamBiosciences) was added to the samples and mixed for 2 h at RT. Beadswere washed 3 times with PBS, suspended in SDS sample buffer, and heatedto 95° C. for 3 min Immunoprecipitates were recovered by centrifugationand subjected to SDS/PAGE. After separation, proteins were transferredto nitrocellulose (NC) membranes and probed with anti-MMP-2 antibody.

To activate ProMMP-2 produced by HT1080 cells, 1 mM of 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) was added to the concentrated CM followed by 6 hincubation in 37° C. After activation, the CM was dialyzed (×3) againstPBS at 4° C., to remove APMA Immunoprecipitation with the activatedmedium was performed as described above.

Binding to active MMP-9 using direct ELISA—MMP-9 Catalytic domain (2μg/ml) was immobilized in microtiter wells. mAbs (1 mg/ml) were added tothe wells following the same procedure as described for ELISA screen.anti MMP-9 antibody (Sigma) served as positive control and unrelatedmouse IgG affinity purified from ascites served as negative control.

Kinetic assay—The enzymatic activity of MMPs was measured as describedpreviously Solomon, A., et al., Pronounced diversity in electronic andchemical properties between the catalytic zinc sites of tumor necrosisfactor-alpha-converting enzyme and matrix metalloproteinases despitetheir high structural similarity. J Biol Chem, 2004. 279(30): p.31646-54]. The activity of MMP-9, MMP-2 and MT1-MMP was measured bymonitoring the degradation of the fluorogenic peptideMca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH₂ at λ_(ex)=340 nm and λ_(em)=390 nmas described by Knight et al. [FEBS Lett, 1992. 296(3): p. 263-6]purchased from Calbiochem-Novabiochem AG. The standard assay mixturecontained 50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.5, 200 mM NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂, 20 μMZnCl₂ and 0.05% Brij. The enzymatic activity of TACE was measured bymonitoring the degradation of fluorogenic peptide QF-45(Mca-Ser-Pro-Leu-Ala-Gln-Ala-Val-Arg-Ser-Ser-Ser-Arg-Lys(dinitrophenyl)-NH2)purchased from Calbiochem-Novabiochem AG.

In situ zymography—To localize net gelatinolytic activity of MMPs by insitu zymography, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled DQ gelatin that isintramolecularly quenched (Molecular Probes) was used as a substrate fordegradation by gelatinases. Proteolysis by gelatinases yields cleavedfluorescein isothiocyanate-gelatin peptides and the localization of thisfluorescence indicates the sites of net gelatinolytic activity. Briefly,Human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells (which produce MMP-2,MMP-9 and MT1-MMP)were plated on 12-mm coverslips. After 24 h incubation, cells weretreated with 1 uM of 13E11 mAb, for 30 min at 37° C. Untreated cellsserved as negative control for this experiment. Cells were washed withPBS and then incubated with zymography reaction buffer (0.05 M Tris-HCl,0.15 M NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂, and 0.2 mM NaN₃, pH 7.6, the high concentrationof azide prevented the gelatin from being phagocytosed and thus allowingcell surface gelatinolytic activity to occur) containing 60 ug/ml DQgelatin at 37° C. overnight. The zymography buffer contained 1 uM of theCoTCPP mAb for the treated cells. At the end of the incubation period,without fixation or further washes, gelatinolytic activity of the MMPswas localized and photographed by fluorescence microscopy and imageswere acquired by Spot digital camera.

Example 1 Conformational Mimcry of the Zinc Active Site by SmallOrganometalic Compounds

The zinc ion in the active site of MMPs is uniformly coordinated bythree conserved histidine residues. During zymogen activation andsubstrate proteolysis zinc coordination varies from 4-coordination,tetrahedral geometry, in the non catalytic stages to 5-coordination,trigonal bipyramidal Auld, D. S., Zinc coordination sphere inbiochemical zinc sites. Biometals, 2001. 14(3-4): p. 271-313] in thecatalytic stages. The conserved histidines can therefore assumedifferent geometries with respect to the zinc ion. To sample theseconformations, two compounds were selected as models for zincenvironment mimicry Imisdp and Co/ZnTCPP (FIG. 1). Imisdp (synthesis isprovided in Example 7 below) compound can mimic the 4-coordinationgeometry. In this case, a nearly tetrahedral conformation is formed bythree imidazole bases and water molecule as the fourth ligand.

FIG. 2A shows an overlay of the constructed 3D model of the Imisdpmolecule with the catalytic site of MMP-9 (PDB 1GKC) 1 Rowsell, S., etal., Crystal structure of human MMP9 in complex with a reversehydroxamate inhibitor. J Mol Biol, 2002. 319(1): p. 173-811 that hasbeen modified to represent the tetrahedral geometry of the zinc ligands.The modifications include replacing the ligand present in the X-raystructure (an hydroxamate inhibitor) with a water molecule andoptimization of the full enzyme to a local minimum by a multilayer QM/MMapproach (see materials and methods). High similarity exists between thecalculated histidine zinc motif in MMP-9 and Imisdp in terms ofdistances of the Histidines' e-nitrogen from the zinc ion (2.04±0.06 and2.02 respectively) and the relative orientation of the three histidinestoward the metal. The second molecule-Zn/CoTCPP, has four imidazolebases in coordination with zinc, or its analogous metal cobalt, in aco-planar conformation with respect to the metal ion [Stevens, E. D.,Electronic Structure of Metalloporphyrins. 1. Experimental ElectronDensity Distribution of (meso-Tetraphenylporphinato)cobalt(II). J. Am.Chem. SOC, 1981. 103(17): p. 5087-5095]. This configuration imitates theconformation of two of the three histidines in 5-coordination trigonalbipyramidal geometry where metal is almost coplanar with the twohistidines which form the base of the pyramid. FIG. 2B shows the crystalstructure of MMP-9 (PDB 1 GKC) where the zinc is coordinated by 5ligands (two additional ligands are contributed by the hydroxamateinhibitor) the orientation of the two histidines at the base of thepyramid and their distances from the zinc ion (2.2±0.02, 2.03±0.04 and1.95 for MMP-9, ZnTCPP and CoTCPP respectively) are comparable toCo/ZnTCPP molecule.

Example 2 Monoclonal Antibodies Generation and Selection

Monoclonal antibodies against CoTCPP, ZnTCPP and Imisdp (FIG. 1) wereproduced by immunization of mice and selection of specific antibodies byan ELISA screen with the respective compound as the coated antigen.Three antibodies were selected for extensive study. Notably, theseclones were chosen because they displayed the best affinity toward theirimmunizing hapten respectively, based on competitive ELISA screen. Theirbinding constants, ranging from 0.01-0.09 μM, (Table 3, below), arecharacteristic of high affinity mAbs. MAbs were propagated as ascites inmice and purified with protein G beads.

TABLE 3 summary of isotype and ELISA competition analysis ofanti-CoTCPP, ZnTCPP and Imisdp monoclonal antibodies. Immunizing HaptenAntibody Isotype Kd [μM]* Name CoTCPP IgG2b 0.09 13E11 ZnTCPP IgG2a 0.0115E12 Imisdp IgG2a 0.09 6C6 *Binding affinities (Kd) of the antibodiestoward their immunizing hapten were determined by competitive ELISA (fordetails, see Materials and Methods).

Example 3 Monoclonal Antibodies Cross React with MMP-2 and MMP-9

To determine whether mAbs raised against synthetic compounds that mimicthe zinc histidine conformation in the catalytic site of MMPs, crossreact with the exposed zinc histidine motif within the active sites ofMMP-2 and MMP-9, monoclonal antibodies were first screened for bindingMMP-9 using direct ELISA.

The three mAbs bound MMP-9 catalytic domain directly adsorbed tomicrotiter plate wells (commercial anti MMP-9 antibody served aspositive control and unrelated IgG served as negative control).Interestingly, mAbs that have been propogated as ascites in mice copurified with active MMP-9 present in mice ascites fluid. Western blotanalysis, of the purified antibodies alone, with anti MMP-9 antibody asthe primary antibody showed a clear band corresponding to the expectedmolecular mass of about 82 KDa for active MMP-9. Thus, mAbs formed acomplex in vivo with the native enzyme.

Monoclonal antibodies were next screened for binding MMP-2 using ImmunoAffinity based assay. Antibodies were incubated with MMP-2 catalyticdomain (MMP-2cat) in vitro, followed by pull down with anti mouse IgGAgarose beads. As FIG. 3A shows, all mAbs bound MMP-2cat.

To establish that binding occurs through direct interaction with theactive site, mAbs were analyzed for their ability to bind Pro-MMP-2 andPro-MMP-9. In the latent enzymes the pro domain structure shields thecatalytic cleft. Hence, blocking of the active site by the pro-domainstructure should prevent mAbs binding, providing it recognizes thehistidine zinc motif within the active site. Under the same conditions,no binding to the pro enzymes was detected (FIG. 3B). This mode ofbinding to active MMP-2 but not to Pro-MMP-2 was further challenged inan in vivo like environment with full length native MMP-2 secreted byhuman fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cell cultures Immunoprecipitation of HT1080conditioned medium with anti-CoTCPP antibody followed by western blotanalysis showed binding to active but not Pro-MMP-2 (FIG. 3C). Theseresults demonstrate that all three antibodies cross react with MMP-2 andMMP-9. Exposure of the active site cleft is essential for antibodybinding, confirming that mAbs interact directly with the active sites ofMMP-2 and 9.

Example 4 Anti CoTCPP and Anti Imisdp mAbs Inhibit MMP-2 and MMP-9In-Vitro

Anti Imisdp and anti CoTCPP mabs inhibited the proteolytic activity ofMMP-2 and MMP-9 in the micromolar range (FIG. 5). Kinetic analysis ofthe inhibition of MMPs by mAbs was performed in a continuousfluorometric assay with a quenched fluorescent peptide substrate.Surprisingly anti ZnTCPP mAb did not show inhibitory effect.

To determine the nature of the inhibition by anti CoTCPP mAb,experiments were carried out using enzymes in the presence or absence ofmAb with different concentrations of fluorescent peptide substrate. Thedata presented in a Lineweaver-Burk plot shown in FIGS. 4A-B ischaracteristic of competitive inhibition profile with Ki values of 13 μMand 24 μM for MMP-9 and MMP-2 respectively. The competitive inhibitionprofile indicated that the mAb bound to the same site as the peptidesubstrate. This mode of inhibition is a further verification of thedirect interaction with the active site. Remarkably, Anti Imisdp mAbshowed concentration-dependent inhibitory effect toward MMP-2 and MMP-9,assuming competitive inhibition, calculated Ki's are 5.8 μM and 3 μMtoward MMP-9 and MMP-2 respectively (FIG. 5). Since mAbs recognize thebinding site of MMP-2 and MMP-9, further optimization of the interfacecomplementarities between the mAbs and MMPs, both structurally andelectrostatically is achievable by affinity maturation methods (Paul J.Carter Nature Reviews Immun. Vol. 6 2006 343-357). Using this approachmay lead to highly specific inhibitors, that will take advantage ofspecificity features that are either inside or outside the active site.

Example 5 In Situ Zymography

To confirm the inhibitory activity of anti CoTCPP mAb at cellular level,the effect of the antibody was examined on gelatinolytic activity ofhuman fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells that constitutively secrete MMP-2 and 9by in situ zymography. To localize gelatinolytic activity of MMPs by insitu zymography, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled gelatin that isintramolecularly quenched (DQ-gelatin) was used as substrate.Proteolysis by gelatinases yields cleaved fluoresceinisothiocyanate-gelatin peptides and the localization of thisfluorescence indicates the sites of net gelatinolytic activity.

Untreated human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells (FIG. 7A) exhibitedsignificant cell surface gelatinolytic activity. In the presence of 1 μMmAb (FIG. 7B), gelatinase activity was reduced as compared to thatobserved in control cells. These results demonstrate that anti CoTCPPmAb inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 at the cellular level.

Example 6 Selectivity of mAbs of the Present Invention

The antibody selectivity was tested by examining the binding andinhibitory effect of anti CoTCPP and anti Imisdp mAbs toward MMP-14(MT1-MMP) and TNF-α-converting enzyme (TACE) a zinc-dependentmetalloproteinase belonging to the related ADAM (a disintegrin andmetalloproteinase) family (ADAM-17). Inhibitory effect toward MT1-MMPand TACE was tested by in-vitro fluorescence enzymatic activity assaywith the appropriate peptide substrates. Anti CoTCPP mAb showed noinhibitory effect toward MT1-MMP or TACE. To determine whether it bindsTACE and MT1-MMP without consequential inhibition, immuno affinity basedexperiments were performed with the purified enzymes, yet no binding wasdetected. In contrast to anti CoTCPP mAb, anti Imisdp mAb inhibitedMT1-MMP, with Ki value of 10 μM but did not display inhibitory effecttoward TACE. Results are listed in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4 MMP 6C6 (IC₅₀ μM) 13E11 (IC50 μM) 15E12 (IC50 μM) MMP-2   3 ±0.2 24 ± 1   NI MMP-9 4.5 ± 0.2 15 ± 0.8 NI MT1-MMP 14.4 ± 0.7  NI NITACE NI NI NI NI, “not inhibiting” at concentrations up to 30 μM

High structural similarity at the active site exists among MMP familymembers and TACE specifically the three-dimensional structural elementssurrounding the zinc-binding site are almost identical, due to the needto accommodate the substrates' peptide backbone and the presence ofconserved zinc-binding motif EXXHXXGXXH [Solomon, A., et al., Pronounceddiversity in electronic and chemical properties between the catalyticzinc sites of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme and matrixmetalloproteinases despite their high structural similarity. J BiolChem, 2004. 279(30): p. 31646-54; Lukacova, V., et al., A comparison ofthe binding sites of matrix metalloproteinases and tumor necrosisfactor-alpha converting enzyme: implications for selectivity. J MedChem, 2005. 48(7): p. 2361-70] Therefore mAb selectivity among MMPs isnot expected based solely on recognition of the conserved histidine zincmotif. However, unlike small molecular weight synthetic inhibitors, anantibody being a large protein molecule must have limited accessibilitytowards an active site cleft that is buried within the framework of theprotein. Particularly since mAbs were shown to specifically interactwith the catalytic zinc ion, the degree of exposure of the zinc ion tosolution must be critical for antibody binding. MT1-MMP and to a largerextent TACE are distinguished by a deep Si pocket correlated withrelatively buried catalytic zinc ion as exhibited by their crystalstructures. This difference in the depth of the active site may accountfor antibodies' lack of inhibitory effect toward TACE. These resultssuggest that selectivity may be achieved based on the degree of exposureof the catalytic zinc ion. Another important factor that should beconsidered when comparing MMPs and TACE, are differences in the activesite pocket in terms of chemistry such as hydrophobicity and polarity(see FIG. 8). The active site of TACE for example, is significantly morepolar than the active sites of most MMPs. Solomon et al demonstratedthat such variation in the polarity of the active site directlyinfluence the orientation of the active site histidine imidazole ringstoward the catalytic zinc ion Solomon, A., et al., Pronounced diversityin electronic and chemical properties between the catalytic zinc sitesof tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme and matrixmetalloproteinases despite their high structural similarity. J BiolChem, 2004. 279(30): p. 31646-541.

The selectivity of anti CoTCPP and anti Imisdp was further challenged,by testing their cross reactivity with non related zinc dependentenzymes-Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) and brockii alcohol dehydrogenase(TbADH). Similar to active MMPs CA contains a zinc ion that istetrahedraly coordinated to three histidine residues and a watermolecule, TbADH contains a catalytic zinc ion that is tetraheadrallycoordinated to four different amino acid residues, histidine, cysteine,aspartate and glutamate. Appropriate in vitro functional inhibitionexperiments, as well as similar immuno affinity based experiments wereperformed to examine cross reactivity with these enzymes, however nobinding or inhibition was observed. Anti CoTCPP mAb was also tested forits cross reactivity with related physiological porphyrins such as theHeme group within Myoglobin and Hemoglobin and vitamin. No cross wasdetected in competitive ELISA as well as immuno affinity assay.

Carbonic anhydrase, and alcohol dehydrogenase all have rather buriedactive sites, similarly, the porphyrin moiety in Myoglobin andHemoglobin is not exposed. Vitamin B12 contains metal at the center ofplaner imidazol structure yet the axial ligands may interfere with thebinding of the mAb. Altogether these results substantiate that antiCoTCPP mAb recognizes relatively exposed metal-imidazole configurationwith no interference of axial metal-coordinating residues.

Example 7 Synthesis of[2-(2-minoethylcarbomoyl)-ethoxymethyl]-tris-[2-(N-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl))-ethoxymethyl]methaneZinc(II) (3), FIG. 9

(i) Synthesis ofTetra(2-pentachloro-phenoxycarbonyl-ethoxymethyl)methane

Synthesis of pentachlorophenol-substitution tetra-active ester wascarried out as in the procedure of Haim Weizmann et al., JACS 1996, 118,12368-12375.

-   (a) Preparation of Mono-Substituted Tri Active Ester:

Tetra active ester (1) (1 g, 0.69 mmol) and BocNHCH₂CH₂NH₂ (100 mg, 0.62mmol) were dissolved in 20 ml of dry dichloromethane. The solution wasstirred overnight while maintain pH-8 with triethyl amine. The solutionwas concentrated and purified by flash chromatography withCHCl₃:ethylacetate (90:10) to give (152 mg, 15% yield). ¹H NMR 250 MHz(CDCl₃) δ : 1.4(s, 9H, Boc); 2.4 (t, 2H, J=6 Hz, —CH₂—CH₂—CONH); 2.9 (t,6H, J=6 Hz, —CH₂—CH₂—COOPCP); 3.2 (q, 2H, J=6 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHBoc);3.31(t, 2H, J=6 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHBoc); 3.38(s, 2H,—C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—); 3.42(s, 6H, —C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—COOPCP); 3.61(t,2H, J=6 Hz, —C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—); 3.78(t, 6H, J=6 Hz,—C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—); 5.03(t, 1H, NH); 6.7(t, 1H, NH).

-   (b) Preparation of Tris (Imidazole):

The mono-substituted triactive ester (150 mg, 0.11 mmol) and1-(3-aminopropyl)-imidazole (33 μlt, 0.39 mmol) were dissolved in (20ml) dry THF and stirred overnight at room temperature. The white colorsolution was concentrated and purified by column chromatography usingsilica of (0.063-0.200 mm) with CHCl₃:methanol(50-90%) to give (45 mg44% yield). ¹H NMR 250 MHz (CDCl₃/MeOD) δ: 1.45(s, 9H, Boc); 2.0(m, 6H,J=6 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi); 2.4(t, 6H, J=6 Hz, —O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—);2.5 (t, 2H, J=6 Hz, —CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHBoc) 3.0 (m, 8H, J=6 Hz,—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi, —CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHBoc); 3.1(t, 2H, J=6 Hz,—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHBoc); 3.4 (b, 8H, —C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHBoc,—C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—); 3.6 (m, 8H, J=6 Hz, —C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—,—C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHBoc,); 4.0 (t, 6H, J=6 Hz,—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi); 5.5(t, 1H, NH); 6.98(s, 3H, Imi); 7.06(s, 3H,Imi) 7.32(t, 3H, NH); 7.57(s, 3H, Imi) ESI-MS: 9 10.871M+Nal⁺, 925.98[M+K]⁺.

-   (c) Preparation of Tris(Imidazole) with Free Amine (2):

Tris(imidazole) (40 mg, 0.045 mmol) was dissolved in 6 ml ofdichloromethane and trifluoroacitic acid (2:1) mixture and stirred foran hour. The reaction mixture was concentrated and evaporated severaltimes with carbon tetrachloride and dried under high vacuum to removeTFA from the mixture to obtain (30 mg, 85% yield, b). ¹H NMR 250 MHz(CDCl₃/MeOD) δ: 1.9 (m, 6H, J=6 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi); 2.3 (m, 8H,J=6 Hz, —O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—, —CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂); 2.9 (t, 2H, J=6Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi); 3.0 (t, 2H, J=1 4 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂);3.31(t, 2H, J=6 Hz, —CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂); 3.4 (b, 8H,—C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂, —C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—); 3.6 (m, 8H,J=6 Hz, —C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—, —C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂); 4.0(t, 6H, J=6 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi); 7.26(s, 3H, Imi); 7.32(s, 3H,Imi); 8.82(s, 3H, Imi).

3. Preparation of tris(imidazole)-Zn(II) Complex (3):

Compound 2 (30 mg, 0.038 mmol) was dissolved in 1 ml of methanol. Tothis 2-3 drops of 1N NaOH solution and ZnCl₂ (5 mg, 0.04 mmol) was addedand stirred for half an hour. The white color precipitate was filteredto obtain (12 mg, 37% yield). ¹H NMR 250 MHz (MeOD/D₂O) δ: 1.8 (m, 6H,J=6 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi); 2.4 (m, 8H, J=6 Hz, —O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—,—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂); 3.0 (t, 2H, J=6 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi);3.0 (t, 2H, J=6 Hz, —CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂); 3.31(b, 2H,—CH₂—CH₂-CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂); 3.4 (b, 8H,—C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂, —C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—); 3.6 (m, 8H,—C—CH₂—O—CH₂—CH₂—CONH—, —C—CH₂-β-CH₂—CH₂—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂); 4.2 (b, 6H,—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂-imi); 7.19(s, 3H, Imi); 7.28(s, 3H, Imi); 8.55(s, 3H,Imi) ESI-MS:852.09 [M+1]⁺.

[2-(2-minoethylcarbomoyl)-ethoxymethyl]-tris-[2-(N-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl))-ethoxymethyl]methane.

Example 8 6C6 Cross Reacted with the Catalytic Sites of Gelatinases

It was discovered that some amount of 6C6 had co-purified with activeMMP9 from ascitic fluid. The presence of detectable amounts of MMP9 inascetic tumor, induced in mice to propagate mAbs was revealed by Westernblot and gelatin zymography (data not shown). MMP9-antibody complex waspurified from mouse ascites fluid using Protein G affinitychromatography (Protein G binds to the antibody's constant domain,leaving the variable domain free to interact with the antigen). As shownin FIG. 11A, co-purified MMP9 was detected by western blotting purified6C6-MMP9 complex using commercially available anti-MMP9 antibody. A bandwith molecular weight of ˜82 kDa, corresponding to active MMP9 lackingthe pro-domain was identified. This band was not detected in irrelevantmouse mAb control that was purified and analyzed in the same manner.These results showed that 6C6 formed a specific in vivo complex withendogenous, active, mouse MMP9.

To further check for binding to the active form of highly homologousMMP2 enzyme, analogous immunoprecipitation experiments were performed invitro. 6C6 was incubated with purified MMP2 catalytic fragment in 3:1molar ratio. SDS-PAGE analysis of protein A sepharoseimmunoprecipitates, revealed formation of a specific complex of 6C6 withactive MMP2 catalytic fragment (FIG. 11B). Protein A beads alone did notimmunoprecipitate MMP2. Next, binding to the inactive zymogenic (latent)forms of MMP2 and 9 was tested. As all MMPs are produced as inactivezymogens, they have N-terminal propeptides of approximately 80-90 aminoacids that block the active sites [Bode, W. and K. Maskos, Biol Chem,2003. 384(6): p. 863-72] (FIG. 11D). Immunoprecipitation experimentswith pro-MMP2 and 9 were performed in a similar manner Importantly, theantibody did not bind to the latent enzyme (FIG. 11C). Significantly,6C6 bound only to the active enzyme conformation in which the activesite zinc protein complex is exposed to solution.

These results confirmed that 6C6 antibody, raised and screened againstactive-site-mimic bioinorganic hapten cross reacted with the proteinactive sites of MMP2 and 9. Apparently, the zinc-tripod hapten was ableto mimic the three-dimensional structure of the respectivezinc-histidine epitope in the native protein. Remarkably, recognition ofthis minimal metal-protein structural epitope was enough to elicit crossreactivity with the native enzyme. Binding only to the activated enzymesand not their latent form in which the pro domain blocked access to thecatalytic zinc protein epitope (FIG. 11D), indicated direct interactionof 6C6 with the zinc catalytic site. Notably, 6C6 bound native MMP9 invivo demonstrating that the antibody can form a specific complex withthe enzyme in a complex protein environment.

Discerning the activated enzyme species from the latent form is uniqueand valuable functional property of 6C6. This activity is unique to 6C6,as opposed to other antibodies raised against MMP9. This is becauseimmunization with proteins typically yields epitopes directed towardsurface loops, while the catalytic amino acids are mostly buried insidea cleft on the enzyme's surface. This part of the molecule is regardedto be of low immunogenicity. Hence, neutralizing monoclonal antibodiesraised by conventional methods (against native proteins or proteinfragments) generally interact with regions contiguous or adjacent to theactive site rather then the active site catalytic residues and inhibitvia steric hindrance mechanism. Such antibodies typically bind to theinactive precursor as well as the active form. The present uniqueactive-site-mimic hapten immunization approach may have enabled theproduction of antibodies that recognize the catalytic metal proteinresidues in MMPs, which is not attainable by a conventional proteinimmunization approach.

Example 9 6C6 Selectively Inhibit Gelatinases In Vitro and In Situ

To determine the enzyme-inhibiting capacity of 6C6 towards MMP9 andMMP2, inhibition assays were performed using small fluorogenic peptidesubstrates (7 amino acids) that spans the active site cleft ofgelatinases. The initial reaction velocities were measured for severalconcentrations of the mAb. 6C6 inhibited the catalytic activity of bothenzymes (FIGS. 12A-B). Competitive mechanism of inhibition wasdetermined by analyzing MMP9 activity in the presence of variousconcentrations of inhibitory antibody, as a function of substrateconcentration. The data shown in FIG. 12A in the form of doublereciprocal Linweaver-Burk plot, demonstrates competitive inhibitionprofile. Fitting the inhibition data to equation of competitiveinhibition systems, Ki of 1±0.1 μM and 1.4±0.16 μM for MMP9 and 2respectively was obtained. It was also determined that 6C6 was notcleaved by MMP-9 after overnight incubations with high concentrations(30 μM) of MMP9, demonstrating that the observed inhibition of MMP9 by6C6 was not due to cleavage of competitor substrate. The kineticanalysis of MMP9 was taken as representative of inhibition mechanism by6C6 as it was designed to recognize the same epitope in the differentMMPs Inhibitory effect was consistent for catalytic fragment species ofMMP2 and 9 as well as full length enzyme forms of gelatinases.Specifically, recombinant MMP9 and MMP2 catalytic fragments, containingthe catalytic domain as well as fibronectin domain but not the hemopexindomain; as well as MMP9 recombinant minimal catalytic unit containingonly the catalytic domain and lacking both fibronectin and hemopexindomain were all inhibited similarly to full length(p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) activated) gelatinases purifiedfrom the media of HeLa S3 cells infected with a recombinant vacciniavirus encoding the full-length cDNA of human pro-MMP2 and 9 as describedpreviously [Olson, M. W., et al., J Biol Chem, 2000. 275(4): p. 2661-8].These results confirmed that inhibition is mediated by directinteraction with the catalytic domain and is not dependent oninteraction with either the hemopexin or the fibronectin domains. Thecompetitive inhibition profile provided a further indication of directinteraction with the catalytic zinc site. A non relevant mAb prepared ina similar manner did not interfere with the enzyme's photolyticactivity. Thus, the observed inhibition was not due to trace amounts ofco-purified contaminants. Antibodies for these experiments were purifiedfrom tissue culture and did not contain detectable amounts of activeMMP9 in the purified antibody fraction.

To explore the selectivity of 6C6, its reactivity was tested towarddifferent matrix metalloproteinase subgroups including matrilysin(MMP7), membrane type MMP (MT1-MMP) and related disintegrin (ADAMs)tumor necrosis factor-α-converting enzyme (TACE). The core structures ofthese enzymes, are highly similar, varying mostly within the peripheralloops. Specifically the zinc-histidine scaffold is well conserved,showing a consensus helix followed by a loop that serves as a scaffoldfor the three histidine residues that coordinate the catalytic zinc ion(FIG. 13).

Similar inhibition assays were performed with appropriate fluorogenicpeptide substrates. Interestingly, neither MMP-7 nor TACE were inhibitedto any measurable extent upon incubation with 6C6 at concentrations ofup to 30 μM, indicating a substantial level of selectivity towardgelatinases. MT1-MMP was inhibited by 6C6, less potently, with Ki of14.4±0.75 μM. Interestingly, the origin of this selectivity can not beelucidated based exclusively on the antibody's design to recognize theconserved zinc-histidine scaffold since the core structures particularlyin the active site are highly similar. Sequence variations, mostlywithin the peripheral loops dictate differences in the extent ofexposure of the zinc-histidine motif, in the shape of the active siteand its surface electrostatic may account for this selective inhibitorypattern.

6C6 was also tested for cross reactivity with different zinc dependentmetallo-proteases, Carbonic Anhydrase and Alcohol Dehydrogenase.Analogous to MMPs, Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) has a catalytic zinc iontetrahedraly coordinated to three histidine ligands and a watermolecule. Consequently, several potent small molecule MMP inhibitors (ofthe sulfonylated amino acid hydroxamate type) also act as efficient CAinhibitors and vice versa. Some N-hydroxysulfonamides investigatedpreviously as CA inhibitors also show inhibitory properties against MMPs[Scozzafava, A. and C. T. Supuran, J Med Chem, 2000. 43(20): p.3677-87]. The active site of Alcohol Dehydrogenase from thermophilicbacterium (TbADH) includes a different zinc-protein moiety in which zincis bound to histidine, cysteine, aspartate and glutamate located insidea crevice. Appropriate functional inhibition experiments in the presenceof mAb concentrations up to 30 μM, displayed no inhibitory effect towardboth enzymes. Notably, the active site of CA, located in the centralregion of a 10-stranded, twisted β-sheet, is comprised of cone-shapedcleft, 15 Å deep, with the tetrahedral Zn²⁺ ion at the bottom of thecleft. Unlike small molecule inhibitors, the zinc ion must be too deeplyburied for interaction with an antibody Importantly these experimentsfurther demonstrate selective inhibitory profile of 6C6.

At the cellular environment, the inhibitory effect of 6C6 towardgelatinases was further tested using gelatinases' naturalsubstrate-gelatin, by in situ zymography. Human fibrosarcoma, HT1080cells, grown in culture expressing membrane bound MT1-MMP and secretingMMP-2 and 9 [Giambernardi, T. A., et al., Matrix Biol, 1998. 16(8): p.483-96] were overlaid with fluorescein-conjugated gelatin (DQ gelatin).As shown in FIGS. 14A-C, untreated HT1080 cells exhibited significantcell surface gelatinolytic activity. Treatment with 5 μM mAbsignificantly decreased surface gelatinolytic activity, analogous toinhibition observed with mechanism based gelatinase inhibitor, SB-3CT.SB-3CT has analogous inhibitory profile, as it inhibits both gelatinasesand MT1-MMP (Ki values are 28, 400, and 110 nM for MMP2, MMP9 andMT1-MMP respectively).

In summary 6C6 inhibited both synthetic peptide cleavage in vitro andnatural macromolecular substrate in situ. 6C6 displayed competitive modeof inhibition toward MMP9, analogous to TIMP's mechanism of inhibition.Competitive inhibitory profile is a further indication of directinteraction with the catalytic zinc moiety. Importantly, 6C6 showedselective inhibitory profile toward gelatinases. The origin of thisselectivity cannot be explained by the antibody targeting of theconserved zinc-histidine motif. These results suggest that the antibodyinteracts with additional determinants on the enzyme's surface thataccount for the observed specificity.

Example 10 Effect of 6C6 MAb Treatment on DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice

There is growing evidence that MMPs are implicated in tissue remodelingand destruction associated with several inflammatory conditions,including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [Baugh, M. D., et al.,Gastroenterology, 1999. 117(4): p. 814-22; Heuschkel, R. B., et al.,Gut, 2000. 47(1): p. 57-62; von Lampe, B., et al., Gut, 2000. 47(1): p.63-73; Kirkegaard, T., et al., Gut, 2004. 53(5): p. 701-9].

Therefore, the present inventors examined the anti gelatinase inhibitoryeffect of 6C6 in vivo in mice experimental model of inflammatory boweldisease.

To explore the inhibitory activity of 6C6, the ability of mAb treatmentto ameliorate DSS induced acute colitis was examined. Specifically, 2%DSS was provided to the highly susceptible mouse strain C57BL/6 for fivedays. 6C6 treatment was given daily by intraperitoneal injections of 1.5or 5 mg/mouse, starting at the day of induction. Mice exposed to 2% DSSdeveloped symptoms of acute colitis, with diarrhea, rectal bleeding andsevere weight loss.

The effect of mAb treatment on the daily monitored disease activityindex (DAI), (combined score of body weight, bleeding and stoolconsistency) is shown in FIG. 15A. MAb treated mice had decreaseddisease activity compared to control (significant from day 6). Anadditional macroscopic manifestation of DSS-induced colitis is thereduction in colon length (FIG. 15B). Thus 30% decrease in coloniclength was found in untreated mice in comparison with naïve mice, 11days after DSS induction. In contrast only an average of 22% or 16%reduction was obtained in 6C6-treated mice dosed with 1.5 and 5 mg/kgmouse respectively. The protective effects of 6C6 were also confirmed bythe mortality rate from the disease. Mortality rate of 60% was found inthe untreated mice, 11 days after induction, whereas only a 33%mortality rate was observed in the 6C6 treated mice (FIG. 15C). Thus,treatment of C57BL/6 mice with 6C6 resulted in improved survival rate,in addition to the reduced manifestations of DSS-induced colitis.

Overall, these results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of 6C6 asgelatinase inhibitor.

Example 11 Characterization of the MMP9-6C6 mAb Complex by X-RayAbsorption Spectroscopy

In order to further study the differences between active MMP9 and aninhibited MMP9-6C6 complex, X ray absorption spectroscopy was performed.FIG. 16 shows the fluorescence XAS data collected. The data is presentedin the form of Fourier transform (FT) spectra to provide the radialdistribution of the various atoms within the first and secondcoordination shells of the catalytic zinc ion in MMP9. Apparent changein the radial distribution spectra of the free and inhibited enzyme canbe observed above the noise level. These spectral changes indicate thatthe local environment of the catalytic zinc ion undergoes structuralchanges upon binding to 6C6. The observed deviation in both spatialdistribution and peak intensities of the FT spectral features betweenthe active and the inhibited enzyme indicate unequivocally that thelocal structure of the catalytic zinc changes upon mAb complexformation.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims. All publications, patents and patentapplications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated intheir entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extentas if each individual publication, patent or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein byreference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference inthis application shall not be construed as an admission that suchreference is available as prior art to the present invention.

REFERENCE LIST Additional References are Cited in the Text

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What is claimed is:
 1. A compound having the general Formula (I):

wherein: m and n are each independently an integer from 1 to 6; X₁-X₃and Y₁-Y₃ are each independently O or S; R₁-R₃ are each independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and cycloalkyl;and R is O—(CH₂)x-C(═O)NR′—(CH₂)y-NR′R″ wherein: x and y are eachindependently an integer from 1 to 6; and R′ and R″ are eachindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, andcycloalkyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein X₁-X₃ and Y₁-Y₃ are eachO.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₁-R₃ are each independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl.
 4. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein R is O—(CH₂)x-C(═O)NR′—(CH₂)y-NHR′.
 5. Thecompound of claim 4, wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen and alkyl.
 6. The compound of claim 1, having the Formula (II):

wherein R=—CH₂—C(═O)NH—CH₂—CH₂—NH₂.